By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Sitka Chamber of Commerce has received another $25,000 to continue and expand its incentive program for being vaccinated against COVID-19.
That’s on top of the $45,000 the organization received in June, through the same sources, the state Department of Health and Social Services and the Alaska Chamber of Commerce.
The program “Sitka Sleeves Up for Summer” has been going well so far, with $10,000 in prizes given out, said Chamber Executive Director Rachel Roy.
“People have been really happy to receive the prizes,” she said. “It’s added to the vaccination clinics in a fun way. It’s been such a good professional and collaborative process, working with SEARHC and Harry Race in their clinics.”
Members of the Young family, from left, top row, are Maitlin, Emery and mom Jacy; bottom row, Luke and Brynn. They won the first drawing in the Sitka Sleeves Up contest, and received a $1,000 gift card, which they are spending on a membership at the Hames Center. (Photo provided)
SEARHC and Harry Race are the main organizations conducting vaccinations in Sitka.
One of the programs the local Chamber has offered is a $50 gift card for people after they get vaccinated. There is also a weekly drawing for a $1,000 gift card for a vaccinated person who brings an unvaccinated friend or family member to a clinic. About 30 were eligible for the drawing the first week. The first winning family, the Youngs, opted to use their $1,000 prize on a Hames Center membership for their family of six.
Roy estimated some $10,000 in local gift cards had been given out so far through this program.
“It was great to be able to have the funds go to a local nonprofit and a healthy way for the family of six to use their prize,” Roy said.
The second winner of the drawing, Jenn Lawlor, chose a gift card for the Hames Corporation, which includes Sea Mart Quality Foods, Market Center, Silver Basin and Cascade Convenience, Roy said.
Roy said she plans to continue the promotion program over the Fourth of July, including prizes at a vaccination booth, and a Sleeves Up float in the parade on the Fourth.
She said the incentive program not only is supporting the vaccination effort, but the mission of the Chamber as well, including encouraging local shopping. All of the gift cards given out are for local businesses.
“It’s been fun,” she said. “On one side it’s supporting local businesses by being able to purchase gift cards to encourage local shopping. The other side is, we’re supporting these partners (SEARHC and Harry Race) that have done such an awesome job in vaccinating our community. This is just helping get that final third vaccinated - who want to be vaccinated. And supporting local businesses, including our media.”
The Department of Health and Social Services lists Sitka’s vaccination rate as 5,373 as partially vaccinated (73 percent); and 5,028 as fully vaccinated (68 percent). The percentages are based on the 12 and up population of 7,385.
Those with questions about the Sleeves Up program can go to sitkachamber.com
