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Buy local, McGuffey school urges

New discount card created to back business, raise cash.

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Staff Report 12:49 PM Friday, March 19, 2010

OXFORD — McGuffey school has new “Shop Local” card.

The $15 card offers discounts from a variety of local merchants — restaurants, hair stylists, boutiques and more — with proceeds going to McGuffey, Oxford Community Choice Pantry, Oxford Farmers Market Uptown Sprouts Program and Friends of the Oxford Lane Library.

“These are organizations McGuffey students, families and staff consider a valuable part of this community,” said Nancy Hawthorne, a McGuffey parent who helped create the card.

Hawthorne said the card is part of the school’s long-range efforts to raise money to supplement curriculum, facilities and scholarships.

She said school officials decided that they wanted this fundraising effort to benefit more than just McGuffey, a school that has a long history of raising money for worthy causes.

“Although fundraising is a critical piece of McGuffey’s budget, it is also part of our school philosophy to act responsibly as a part of our community, and to pay it forward,” Hawthorne said.

McGuffey is also pleased to be able to support local businesses owners, who, Hawthorne said, “appreciate the opportunity to be highlighted as locally-owned and be linked with these valuable organizations.”

Erin Smetzer, McGuffey’s kindergarten teacher, came up with the idea for a shop local card last summer. Smetzer said the card easily pays for itself, offering discounts at Walker’s Footwear & Apparel, You’re Fired, Juniper, Kona Bistro, Marcum Center & Miami Inn, Moonshine Printing, Oxford Farmer’s Market Uptown, Smokin’ Ox and Salon Signature.

The cards can be purchased through McGuffey families, on Saturdays at the Oxford Farmers Market Uptown, at Juniper and at oxfordshoplocal.com.

Hawthorne said the school plans to issue a card every year and is already looking for additional merchants to participate in 2011. Interested parties can get information from the Web site or by contacting the school at (513) 523-7742.

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