Thursday night’s Rekindle the Spirit event was full of excitement, but there is plenty more seasonal cheer to be spread through the annual Alger County Chamber of Commerce event.

The Rekindle receipt raffle continues the idea of shopping local for the holiday in one of the more successful economic stimulus plans in the Upper Peninsula. Because the receipts can be totaled up annually, the Chamber has a running total for how much money is spent in the area during the event. After 12 years, over $2.3 million was spent locally, so reaching the $2.5 million mark this year is more than a reasonable goal for the area’s businesses.

According to Alger County Chamber of Commerce and Greater Munising Bay Partnership Director Kathy Reynolds said that many businesses get overlooked by the majority of people submitting receipts.

“Whether that’s getting their winter tires on, going to dentist and doctors appointments, gas stations, whatever it is, we want people to shop local. Some people think that because they don’t go out to eat very often or did their shopping already, they aren’t buying local, but this gets people to stop and think and reflect on how you spend locally,” she said.

Some limitations have been put in place, including a $1,500 maximum per day entry. Mortgages and utilities also are excluded from the raffle. Receipts can be dropped off for entries Monday-Friday at the Chamber office in Munising. All entries will go toward the grand prize options as well, so there is no need to wait for a specific prize to turn receipts in. In 2022, 78 different people won prizes amounting to over $8,000. Over 60 businesses donated to this year’s prize drawing.

“We are very fortunate with local businesses sponsoring the event,” Reynolds said. “Because the event has become more popular, we’ve been able to give out more prizes.”