Ann Powell of Brookhaven became the first winner of The DAILYLEADER’S annual Hometown Christmas promotion, which began last weekand will continue through mid-December.

Powell’s name was drawn from the special Hometown Bucks box atBetty Ann’s, where she had registered last week while shopping forclothes.

“I was excited. I was just carried away,” said Powell of herrecent luck, which brought her $100 in Hometown Bucks.

She was surprised to find out it was her name drawn as the firstweek’s winner after she joked with store employees while enteringher name in the Hometown Christmas box.

“It’s the second thing I’ve ever won. The only other thing Iever won was a sack of groceries,” she said with a laugh.

She plans on spending her bucks at Betty Ann’s. She already hasher eye on several items.

Powell, who has a family business in Brookhaven, said she hasalways supported shopping locally to boost the economy in thearea.

“It’s good for the businesses,” she said of those participatingin the promotion.

Hometown Bucks can be spent at Betty Ann’s, Brookhaven Sports,Brookwood Gifts and Antiques, Country Fisherman, Engravables,Expectations, The Haberdashery of Brookhaven, Millane’s Gift &Bridal Registry, NetSouth, Shipps Flowers, Sisters By Design, SmithBrothers Collision Center & Truck Accessories, The Posey Placeand T.H. Perkins Furniture.

Shoppers can register for the weekly drawings at thoseparticipating businesses, as well as Bank of Brookhaven, State Bankand Trustmark.

Each Friday, one name will be drawn from the participatingmerchants, then the winner will be drawn from those names, with agrand prize drawing for $500 in Hometown Bucks on Dec. 12.

Employees of THE DAILY LEADER and their families are noteligible to win. Employees of participating merchants may notregister at their respective business, but they may register at anyof the other participating business.