'Small Business Saturday' benefits local communities

Too many of us look like the "Target" lady in her red sweat suit, hyperventilating over advertising and getting in shape to take on the crowd on "Black Friday," the day after Thanksgiving when big retail stores hope to meet their sales projections for the year.

We've heard stories about pushing and shoving, fighting over on-sale items and waiting in line until the doors open or the sale prices go into effect.

No thanks.

Then, there's "Cyber Monday," the Monday after Thanksgiving, when shoppers are encouraged to buy their Christmas gifts online, enticed by special prices or free shipping.

­­­Convenient, perhaps, but there's no personal touch when it comes to pointing, clicking and entering your credit card information.

Besides, what's the fun in shopping somewhere, be it a big-box store or website, where millions of others have exactly the same choice of products and services?

There's a new national promotion by the Small Business Administration we can really get behind, however.

Small Business Saturday is this weekend.

"Small businesses are the foundation of our economy -- half of America's workers either own or work for a small business," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to show our support for our friends and neighbors, who, throughout the year, are growing our local economy, as well as supporting many local initiatives and organizations."

Rather than plunking down your Christmas savings for the same piece of plastic as millions of other parents, how about perusing a main street store for a unique gift that actually took some thought?

When you swipe that debit card, wouldn't it be nice to know the money would help support the family of someone whose kids play on the same soccer team as your children? Who belongs to the same service club, supports the same YMCA or tithes to the same church?

As an added enticement, shop at a merchant taking part in the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce's "Let It Snow!" promotion and you may find out your Christmas shopping was free.

If you buy something from one of the participants from now until Saturday, Dec. 10, and it snows 6 inches or more on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012, you will receive a refund for those purchases.

Yes, people who work at the chains and big retailers live here, too, pay real estate taxes and support the same causes. We're not suggesting avoiding those stores altogether; they have a big stake in the success of our community as well.

But when we have a choice, let's cast a vote for local entrepreneurs by supporting them with our dollars.