Reading resident and Realtor Liz Rogers wins Shop the Block Gift Basket

Dec. 31, 2012 - PRLog -- Reading resident Liz Rogers, Realtor at Century 21 North Shore, was the winner of an immense Buy Local gift basket. Raffle tickets for the basket, valued at more than $1,200, raised $1,455 for donations to the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce Holiday Lights campaign.

Reading’s Shop the Block event, is held one week after Thanksgiving, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2012, welcoming a record number of 22 participating shops and restaurants. The goal is to encourage residents to spend their holiday shopping dollars locally, rather than at the mall or online.

Rogers, a nine-year resident and a firm believer in supporting local businesses, said “it’s important to me to see this town and all its unique and wonderful enterprises survive and thrive.” In her realty business, Rogers welcomes new residents with an array of gift cards from local businesses, “giving incentive to these new residents to stop in and check out our many fabulous shops.”

“I hope to continue this as I grow my business,” she said. “I ask for nothing in return, except perhaps some consideration the next time someone mentions they are interested in buying or selling a home.”

The large gift basket was available for viewing at The Chocolate Truffle on Main Street throughout the holiday season. A partial list of the basket contents included gift certificates from the Salon on Haven Street, Aine’s Boutique, Longwood Place, Cupcake City, Embellish Hair Salon, Everything But the Dog, Glow, Sense of Wonder, Kings Complete Auto Center, Brissonte in North Reading, Elite Freestyle Karate, and Dirty Doodle dog boutique and self wash. The basket also contained bracelets from Simms Jewelers and Goodhearts childrens’ store, earrings from Aine’s Boutique, a print and necklace from the EMARC Center for Emerging Artists, a wine set from The Hitching Post, and hand-dipped chocolates from The Chocolate Truffle.

Raffle tickets were sold for $5 at participating shops.

Shop the Block has always designated a charity to support, and in 2012, proceeds from the gift basket raffle benefited the RNR Chamber of Commerce’s holiday light fund. The fund brings tree lighting, garlands and holiday lighting to downtown Reading. The town is currently in the process of replacing its holiday lights with energy-efficient LED strings.

PHOTO: Reading resident and realtor Liz Rogers purchased the winning raffle ticket for the Shop the Block gift basket, valued at more than $1,200. Proceeds from the raffle benefited the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce Holiday Light Fund.