And the grand prize winner in the DAILY LEADER’s HometownChristmas Promotion is . . . Jeremy Vanover of Brookhaven.

Vanover, the 18-year-old son of Margaret Vanover, took home $600in Hometown Bucks this week after his name was drawn from a boxcontaining thousands of names entered during the eight-weeklycontest.

“This feels great,” he said while receiving the “bucks” atLofton’s Sporting Goods.

Vanover, a freshman at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, oftenvisits the store, and his name had been placed in the promotion boxseveral times. He said he never expected he would be one of thelucky winners, and definitely not the grand prize winner.

“I’m still shocked,” he said with a smile. “I was reallysurprised.”

He looks forward to spending his hometown bucks at theparticipating merchants:

* Bank of Brookhaven

* Brookwood Gifts & Antiques

* Lofton’s Sporting Goods

* Rushing Boots and Shoe Shop

* Shipp’s Flowers

* State Bank

* T.H. Perkins Furniture Company

* Walls Lumber

“I’ll probably buy a few gifts for my family and then get asavings bond with the rest,” he said.

As Vanover looked toward his feet, he also remarked that a newpair of tennis shoes would be on his list.

He was very thankful for the chance he was given to win somehometown bucks.

“I appreciate the businesses and the DAILY LEADER having thisevery year. It really helps people out,” he said.

The Hometown Christmas promotion is an effort by the DAILYLEADER to encourage people to shop in Brookhaven, in essencehelping the local economy.

This year’s $200 winners consisted of Verna Pitre, CarolynAdams, Harry Joe Martin, Daniel Gates, Myra Bui, Shelley Summersand Katherine Adams.