'For a Cause' benefits Toys for Tots in November, The Well Church Bed Ministry in December

SIDNEY -- The holiday retail sales figures are positive for 2024. Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Director Joe McCarn said recently the Chamber has tracked at least $80,000 in local sales. 

McCarn recently talked about the "Shop Cheyenne County Days" program.

"It was a great success. There was over $70,000 spent locally, in that five-week period. It's awesome that people are shopping local, and that's just what we can track. There's probably a lot more than that but we're tracking $70,000 spent locally, which is amazing," he said.

Later Thursday, December 19, McCarn updated his figures, noting at least 400 entries in the Chamber's Shop Cheyenne County Days drawing, translating to at least $80,000 in tracked sales in Cheyenne County.

"And that's what we want to do as a Chamber, and Shop Cheyenne County Days, that's the main purpose is just to instead of spending money outside of our county, outside of our community, we're spending that money locally. And that's what keeps our businesses afloat. Hopefully this is a good year for our businesses and a good Merry Christmas to our businesses in Cheyenne County," he said.

Shop Cheyenne County Days started November 23 and went through December 15. McCarn said there were 15 participating businesses, and a different theme each weekend.

Cheyenne County Chamber's "For A Cause" benefited Toys for Tots in November. For A Cause is an update of the "Dress Down Day" fund raising program. Donations received over a month are presented to a designated organization. Toys for Tots received $453.90 through For A Cause.  Toys for Tots is a program that collects and donates new toys and books for children in need. Toys for Tots distribution is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, December 21, at the Sidney Elks Lodge.

The December recipient of For A Cause is The Bed Ministry of The Well Church in Sidney. The men of The Well Church were inspired to build beds for children in need. The beds are donated to the family with a single frame, mattress, and linen.