The Assiniboia Times donated to the Salvation Army Food Bank as part of its ‘Find the Gnome Contest’. Trynda Wilderman from the Assiniboia Times presents Darlene Wasyluk, manager of the Salvation Army, with $150. The Food Bank received $5 from each of the businesses participating in the Gnome Contest. The annual “Find the Gnome” contest ran from late November to December 23. Winners were drawn on January 4 by Shawn Helland from Helland’s Autobody. Each week, the gnome would be placed in a different participating business for customers to find. All those who found a gnome had their name placed in a draw to win one of five types of cash prizes to be used in local businesses. There were three top prizes of $250, $150 and $75 plus 12 prizes of $50 and 16 prizes of $25. Winners have until the end of February to spend their ‘Gnome Dollars’ at the 31 participating businesses offering a variety of goods and services. A draw was made also to select three business winners, which received $100 each. The contest helps to put back $1,800 into the local economy, encouraging winners to shop locally.
