The days are counting down before Christmas. Local merchants are encouraging residents to shop locally for their friends and loved ones.
Only four days remain until the community celebrates Christmas.
Since late November when Small Business Saturday kicked off the holiday shopping season, Churchill County merchants have been asking residents to shop locally for their friends and loved ones.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving was named Small Business Saturday in 2010 by American Express. As the day has evolved for the past decade, the goal continues for shoppers to support the growing number of small businesses across the country including those in Churchill County.
MetroFamily Magazine estimates for every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $73 remains in the local economy and $27 leaves. That’s compared to the same $100 spent at a non-locally owned business where $43 remains in the local economy and $57 leaves.
Lucy Carnahan, executive director of the Fallon Chamber of Commerce, said people like to visit stores, participate in the scavenger hunt or walk around.
Closures
Many businesses will be closed Monday as will state, county and city government offices. Federal government offices are closed Monday. Both post offices resume their regular hours on Tuesday. Naval Air Station Fallon operates on its holiday schedule.
The city of Fallon will have no garbage pickup on Monday. Those affected will have their garbage picked up the following day.
Financial institutions are closed on Monday but check with your bank or credit union.
Churchill County schools are closed as is Oasis Academy. No classes are scheduled at Western Nevada College.
American Legion
American Legion Post 16, its auxiliary, other military organizations and volunteers will deliver Meals on Wheels dinners on Christmas since the William N. Pennington Life Center (senior center) will be closed.
Sailors, current and retired military personnel and community members wishing to deliver meals or prepare meals for delivery should arrive at the hall, 90 N. Ada St., after 8 a.m.
Once volunteers arrive at the hall, they will pack food into containers and then drive different routes within the city limits and in the county to deliver hot meals to the area senior citizens. The American Legion normally seeks about 30 volunteers to help with the preparation and/or delivery.
The American Legion post also provides the volunteers and donations to buy turkeys and all the fixings.
Their annual Christmas dinner for the community is from 11 a.m-1 p.m.