CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE —The Cape May County Chamber of Commerce kicked off the annual Shop Local for the Holidays campaign with its first “Be Local. Shop Local” contest. Plans are to make it an annual event.

Shoppers were able to submit copies of receipts from purchases in Cape May County stores from Nov. 14 through Dec. 14 in order to be eligible to win prizes awarded in four categories: Shopping in the most Cape May County Stores; Shopping in the most Cape May County Municipalities; Shopping in the most online Cape May County stores and Prize drawings for all contestants that entered.

The Be Local. Shop Local. Campaign Contest was created to entice residents and visitors to shop at Cape May County businesses this holiday season because of its benefits to the community, according to officials with the county chamber.

“The plan is get people to think more about where their dollar is spent and what that means to our community,” reads a statement from the business group. “Dollars spent at local businesses have three times the impact on our community and simultaneously creates jobs, funds more services, invests, improves and promotes Cape May County as a whole.”

The 2011 winners are: Julie Miner, Barbara Tomalino, Shelley VanDyke, Francey Burke, and Maggie Warner. Contest prizes included $100 Visa Gift Cards furnished by 1st Bank of Sea Isle City, Cape Bank and TD Bank. Morey's Piers Passes, and overnight stays at The Golden Inn in Avalon and The Carroll Villa Hotel in Cape May.

For more information see www.capemaycountychamber.com.