Cha-ching! (1-28)

In an effort to say "thanks" to a community that has been ever so supportive, Kris Shepard, president of Alsip's Home & Nursery has instituted a gift-card program to help local organizations raise funds.

Technically speaking, Shepard and Co. are actually supporting two communities, as Alsip's has locations in both Frankfort, Ill., and St. John, Ind. The program, going on its fourth year, works like this: The organization or club will pre-sell Alsip's gift cards and collect the cash at full face value. When the organization comes in with what it has raised, it receives a 15-percent discount. In other words, for every hundred dollars sold, the club or organization gets $15 in profit.  

The program is the ultimate win/win proposition.The local organizations raise needed funds, and Alsip gets customers -- some who might not be "regulars."

"It’s very common for us to have an organization come in with gift card sales of $1,500 or more," Shepard said. "We feel this is a good way to give back to the community—and the organization may be selling our gift card to a person who might be going somewhere else for their gardening needs. If we get a new customer through the door—and they see what we have to offer—we will more often than not turn them into a regular customer."

And that becomes a great chance for Alsip's to hear the magic word: "Cha-ching!"

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