Local businesses love to support local charities and charitable organizations, but in the real world of dollars and cents, it takes profitable sales to provide the dollars necessary to support local charitable efforts. When Rush County shoppers support Rush County retail businesses, they in turn will support local endeavors.

The Sampler in Homer is hoping that’s what will happen this month in their store. Retail manager Linda Levi announced an innovative new promotion for Sampler shoppers. "Visit The Sampler during April, make a $25 minimum purchase on in-stock, floor merchandise, and we will donate 20 percent of your purchase price to the qualified charitable organization of your choice," she said. She noted that all in stock merchandise applies including Sampler made woodenware, furniture items that are available from the floor, Hadley pottery, Mountain weaver table cloths, lamps, prints, candles – every single item that is in stock. The only thing excluded from the "give back" menu is furniture made to order and gift and accessory items which need to be ordered. Linda also noted, "Customers may also come in as a group supporting one particular charitable organization, pool their sales total, and we will donate 20 percent of the total group sale to their chosen charity," Levi said.

"We hope to make this an annual event and anticipate that our give back month could grow into something that could make a nice contribution to many local charitable organizations,” she explained. “Naturally, part of this promotion is to increase our traffic in the store during the month of April – but in doing so, we hope to also give back to the groups that our customers value.”