Local shoppers Kim Bessonette and Becky Smith were both shockedthat they won $75 each in The DAILY LEADER Hometown Christmas buckssweepstakes.

Bessonette, who registered at Macy Taylor’s, was surprised tolearn she had won. That is because her friend, Miranda Shoe, didthe registering for her while she was changing clothes in adressing room.

“So, I was shocked,” she said.

This hometown winner has already spent her bucks at Macy’s.Bessonette said she shops there often, probably on a monthlybasis.

She also thinks the contest is a good thing.

“I think it’s a great idea, considering I’ve never won anythingin my entire life,” Bessonette said. “I really like it.”

Along the lines with Bessonette, Smith can certainly fathom theincentive behind the sweepstakes as well. Smith’s winning entry wassubmitted at Grown’ Green.

“It encourages people to stay home and shop rather than go tothe big cities,” said the Bogue Chitto resident. “I think it is agood way to promote Brookhaven.”

Smith said she will probably share the prize money with her21-year-old daughter, Jessica, since she signed them both up forthe sweepstakes while Christmas shopping at the store.

She also plans to return to Growin’ Green to perhaps pick out afew items for herself and for Jessica since her daughter will be aJune bride.

Smith works out of her home providing childcare to Bogue ChittoAttendance Center teachers’ children. Her husband, Billy, works atWal-Mart Distribution Center in Brookhaven and also serves as amusic minister at Enon Baptist Church in Walthall County.

Bessonette, 30, considers herself more of a homemaker, but doesserve as a part-time cardiac and vascular sonographer for SouthernMedical Cooperation in Jackson.

She has a daughter, Katelyn Pepper, 5, and a stepson, PaxtonBessonette, 7. Her husband, Casey, works in construction.

She is originally from Houston, Texas and transplanted herselfin Mississippi to attend the University of Southern Mississippi.Her bachelor’s degree from Southern is in social work, shesaid.

Bessonette has been a resident of Brookhaven since 2001.

The deadline for entering the Hometown Bucks contest has passedonly the two grand prize winners of $250 in bucks remain to beannounced.

There were 21 businesses participating in this year’ssweepstakes including Legacy Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep, Bertha’s Flowers,Trustmark Banking and Financial Services, T.H. Perkins FurnitureCo., Betty Ann’s, Gad’s Jewelry and Salon, Furniture FactoryOutlet, Bank of Brookhaven, ABLES, J.Jams, Brookhaven Honda, SmithJewelry, Blue Heaven, Snap Fitness, Vendor’s Emporium, TheFinishing Touch, Growin’ Green Landscape, The UPS Store, MacyTaylor, bebe’s, Legacy Toyota and Sisters by Design.