Sally Hedgepeth was filled with an array of emotions this weekwhen she found out she was the grand prize winner in The DAILYLEADER’S 10th annual A Hometown Christmas promotion.

Hedgepeth, of Brookhaven, said she was extremely grateful forthe opportunity to win the $600 in Hometown Bucks.

“I’m thankful for all the merchants for putting this together atChristmas time,” she said, adding that she tries to shop with theparticipating merchants throughout the year because of theirinvolvement in the community.

She plans to use her Hometown Bucks to get a some extraChristmas gifts for her family during the few shopping daysleft.

“I’m going to love getting to do some last-minute shopping forthe kids and my grandchild,” said Hedgepeth, also mentioning a fewgifts she needed to pick up for her husband, Mike.

Hedgepeth was excited about becoming the grand prize winner thisyear. She had already registered several times, and numerous timesin years past, but had been unsuccessful until now.

She never thought one of her weekly trips to State Bank andTrust would turn out so fortunate.

“I was just standing there, and the lines were backed up, so Istepped aside and registered,” she said.

Hometown Bucks can be spent at any of the participatingmerchants including:

* 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

Hometown Christmas is an effort of the DAILY LEADER and areamerchants to encourage shoppers to buy locally in order to benefitthe community.