Jody Burkhart, left, Jeff Spickelmier (commander) and Candice Hine of the North Webster American Legion Post 253 are ready for the annual Christmas Bucks promotion. (Photo by Tim Ashley)

It’s not Halloween yet, but it’s not too early to think about Christmas gifts. Especially considering it is time for the annual Christmas Bucks promotion sponsored by The Papers Inc. and local merchants.

Starting today, Oct. 29, the promotion runs four consecutive weeks through Nov. 19. Cut out the entry forms found in this edition of ‘the PAPER,’ fill out the forms and deposit them in the Christmas Bucks boxes at stores and businesses listed below. Entry forms will also appear in the Nov. 5, 12 and 19 editions of ‘the PAPER’ and are also available at participating merchants.

A total of $2,000 in Christmas Bucks will be given away by Kosciusko County merchants. First prize is $800, second prize $500 and third, fourth and fifth place are $150 each. Sixth through 10th place are $50 each.

Those who win Christmas Bucks can redeem them at any business taking part in the contest. It is not necessary to purchase anything or to be present to win.

Winners will be announced in the Dec. 3 edition of ‘the PAPER.’

Christmas Bucks and vacation for two winners will be chosen at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, at the corporate office of The Papers in Milford. Each advertiser will draw one winner from his coupons. Store winners will all be placed in a drum and grand prize winners will be drawn for the Christmas Bucks. A second drawing will be made among the advertisers to determine the winner of the vacation for two.

The prize will be awarded in the form of a flexible vacation voucher from Menno Travel in Goshen, which can be used to plan the trip right for you. Examples of trips (based on the award amount) include a three-night package to Las Vegas including round trip airfare from South Bend, transfers and three nights at Bally’s Hotel; a ski getaway to Copper Mountain in Colorado for three nights including round trip airfare from South Bend and a compact rental car; Chicago Broadway show and spa weekend including staying in a four-star downtown Chicago hotel for two nights; and a Florida getaway beach vacation for three nights in Fort Myers, including airfare from South Bend and a compact rental car.

Heather Batalis, left, and Sonia DeGaetano of Furniture Factory Outlet in Warsaw are in the Christmas spirit to help promote Christmas Bucks. (Photo by Tim Ashley)

Participating Merchants

• Alley Cats — Leesburg
• American Legion Post 253 — North Webster
• Arby’s — Warsaw
• B Macs on Buffalo — Warsaw
• BC Tile and Floor Covering LLC — Syracuse
• Big Apple Bagels — Warsaw
• Big R Stores — Warsaw
• Brady’s Furniture & Mattress — Warsaw
• Burnworth-Zollars — Ligonier
• Culver’s — Warsaw
• DeGraff Memorials LLC — Warsaw
• Dutch Country Bulk Foods — Nappanee
• Freedom Express — Warsaw, North Webster, Leesburg, Etna Green
• Furniture Factory Outlet — Warsaw
• H & L Motors — Warsaw
• Himalayan Salt Creations — Warsaw
• Hope Optical — Warsaw
• J.B’s Furniture — Warsaw
• John’s Butcher Shop — Nappanee
• Kerlin’s Western World — Warsaw
• Lake Area Promotional Specialities — Warsaw
• LJ Wagner Home Interiors — Nappanee
• Miller’s Rite Choice Foods — Nappanee
• Monteith’s Best One Tire & Auto Care — Warsaw and Syracuse
• NewMarket — Syracuse and North Webster
• NAPA Auto Parts — Warsaw
• Old Leesburg Mill Mercantile — Leesburg
• On The Grow/Sherman and Lin’s — Warsaw
• Papa John’s — Warsaw
• The Party Shop — Warsaw
• Penguin Point — Warsaw and Syracuse
• Peterson’s Fish at the Shore — Syracuse
• Pizza Hut — Warsaw
• R & B Car Company — Warsaw
• Rally’s — Warsaw
• Reinholt’s Town Square Furniture — Warsaw
• Rentown Country Stores — Bremen
• Sweet Deals At The Kleener Shop — Syracuse
• The Lake House Surf Shop and Outfitters — Winona Lake
• The Spectacle Shoppe Inc. — Warsaw
• Topping Dental Group — Nappanee
• Wabash Electric Lighting Showroom — Warsaw
• Wawasee Bowl — Syracuse
• Woodland Variety Store — Bremen
• Wyndham Garden — Warsaw
• Zale Drugs — Warsaw