A Sontag woman was the first person to walk away with a share ofHometown Bucks this year.

Christine Lambert of Sontag won $200 last week in the first ofseven weekly drawings in the DAILY LEADER’S Hometown Christmaspromotion, which will give away $2,000 by December 15.

Lambert was surprised how a trip to Walls Lumber and Supplyturned into such good fortune for her.

“I came to get some concrete for my husband, and I thought I’dtry my luck, so I entered,” she said. “I’m usually not very lucky,so I didn’t think I’d win.”

Lambert was especially excited about winning because she neededsome extra money for Christmas.

“I told everybody at work that the Lord was taking care of me,”she said about her change of luck.

She has already decided the $200 will bring a some extra cheerto her husband, Ellis, and son, Austin, this holiday season.

“I’m sure I’ll spend it on them for Christmas,” saidLambert.

She can spend her Hometown Bucks at any of the participatingmerchants:

* Bank of Brookhaven

* Beyond the Rainbow

* Brookhaven Music and Sound

* Brookwood Gifts and Antiques

* Lofton’s Sporting Goods

* Millane’s

* Rushing Boots and Shoe Shop

* Shipp’s Florist

* Susan’s Shoppe

* T.H. Perkins Furniture Company

* Trustmark National Bank

* Walls Lumber and Supply Company

The 10th Annual Hometown Christmas is an effort of the DAILYLEADER and area merchants to encourage shoppers to buy locally inorder to benefit the community.

Shoppers may register at any of the participating merchants forthe weekly drawings by using the special entry forms and boxes ondisplay at any of the participating businesses. Shoppers may enteras many times as they would like.

There will be six more drawings for $200 in Hometown Bucks eachFriday, with a grand prize drawing for $600 in Hometown Bucks onFriday, December 15.

Employees of the DAILY LEADER are not eligible to win. Employeesof participating merchants may not register at their respectivebusiness, but they may register at any of the other participatingbusinesses.