Author: Saratoga TODAY

The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is kicking off its Love Our Locals $20.25 campaign, an initiative that emphasizes the importance of supporting local businesses and non-profit organizations.

The campaign will begin on Thursday, Oct. 30 and continue throughout the remainder of the year. During this time, residents and tourists who support any business or non-profit in Saratoga County by spending or donating $20.25 or more are eligible to enter a gift card giveaway.  

Individuals are encouraged to submit their receipts of $20.25 or more online at www.saratoga.org/love-our-locals to enter. Each week, the Chamber will randomly select winners for $100 in gift cards to businesses across the county.

While the campaign takes place during the holiday shopping season, it is designed to support a wide variety of businesses and organizations from the retail, dining, service, entertainment and non-profit sectors. Donations made to area charitable organizations are also eligible for entry. Spending $20.25 or more at any locally owned Saratoga County business or non-profit gives folks a chance to win in this months-long giveaway campaign with unlimited entries, multiple weekly winners and a variety of gift card prizes! 

Now in its fifth year, this campaign started during the pandemic as Save Our Locals $20.21, which resulted in more than 2,000 entries from locals whose purchases directly aided in the county’s economic rebound from COVID-19 restrictions. In 2022, the Save Our Locals program was recognized with a New York State Tourism Excellence Award from the New York State Tourism Industry Association. 

Since then, the campaign was renamed Love Our Locals and remains a popular and purposeful annual effort. 

“We are proud of how this initiative has grown over the past four years, and we’re thrilled to launch it once again,” said Todd Shimkus, president of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “Love Our Locals was created to energize our local economy and encourage area residents to shop local and donate to local causes as 2025 comes to a close.” 

The Veterans Business Council of The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual breakfast at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs. This yearly event celebrates area veterans and supports the vital work of the VBC in providing scholarships and career connections for veterans.  

The morning of connection and camaraderie will feature recognition of the council’s year-round work along with a keynote address from retired United States Marine Command Sergeant Major Gary Smith, Founder and Chief Consultant of Smith Leadership Consulting Group, which specializes in motivational speaking, executive leadership coaching and workforce leadership development.

Smith is a retired United States Marine Command Sergeant Major with almost three decades of service, seeing and executing leadership from various vantage points both home and abroad including combat tours. He has practical knowledge for coordinating, directing and completing a full range of leadership and management activities in support of different functions within many organizations.

Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Excelsior College and a master’s degree in human resource education from Louisiana State University. He is also a certified professional counselor through the U.S. Department of Labor.

To date, Smith has trained professionals from the federal government, including the U.S. Department of Defense, along with an array of organizations among the private sector.

“The Veterans Business Council annual breakfast is an inspiring morning of connection and camaraderie where we honor the achievements of our scholarship recipients and hear from an exceptional keynote speaker,” said Joseph Juracka, Chair of the Veterans Business Council of The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.  “This year, we’re thrilled to welcome Gary Smith, retired U.S. Marine Command Sergeant Major and leadership expert, who will share valuable insights on achieving optimal performance in business and beyond. It’s a rewarding experience for everyone who attends and a wonderful opportunity to show support for those who have served our country.”

The Veterans Business Council of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce invites all who support Veterans to attend this event. Tickets are $45 per person, and proceeds will benefit the programs and mission of the Veterans Business Council. Advance registration is available online at www.saratoga.org/vbc-veterans-breakfast.