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West Virginia University Reed College of Media

SOJ students host Shinnston's first Buy Local Day

School of Journalism students are working with local businesses in Shinnston, W.Va., to host the community’s first Buy Local Day.

Buy Local LogoSix public relations seniors in Dr. Rita Colistra’s public relations campaigns course teamed with active community members to establish the Buy Local Shinnston Committee and to launch the Buy Local Shinnston campaign earlier this semester. Buy Local Day is just one of the many efforts the students have implemented during the campaign. The event was created to raise community awareness about the importance and economic value of shopping at locally owned businesses and to bring customers into the stores.

“Buy Local Day is a great opportunity to highlight what the local businesses have to offer,” said Lacey Beattie, campaign account executive. “Many community members do not know the goods and services available in their own town, so this is a great way to place them in the spotlight.”

The event will take place on Saturday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gameday on 119 S. Pike Street in Shinnston. Various locally owned businesses are participating and offering coupons that were advertised in Shinnston-area newspapers. Event-goers are encouraged to use these discounts in the week leading up to Buy Local Day to earn raffle tickets for prizes on event day.

An information booth will be set up to educate residents about the importance and economic benefits of shopping at local businesses. The free event will also feature limited free food, a clown with balloon animals and face painting, a live radio remote, and raffle drawings.

The Buy Local Shinnston campaign is made possible by a $5,000 Campus-Community LINK grant through the West Virginia Campus Compact and the Center for WVU Civic Engagement.

Established in 2013, the Buy Local Shinnston Committee aims to increase community awareness of the importance and economic value of shopping at local businesses. For more information about Buy Local Shinnston, contact Debra Herndon at 304-592-3076.