Wise to honor students, promote businesses

May 10, 2020

Wise town government is acting to boost the spirits of prospective Central High School graduates and those of local business owners — along with the businesses’ bottom lines.

Town council agreed April 28 to let town Planner Laura Roberts take funds from the cultural enrichment budget to launch a set of initiatives in the midst of COVID-19 life interruptions.

SENIOR STUDENTS

The town is working with Central’s 2020 senior class sponsor Angie Duncan and Impressions of Wise to purchase senior class t-shirts for students and schedule a drive-by distribution.

“This is such a wonderful gesture!” Duncan said. “These students have missed out on so many of the senior spring activities due to the COVID-19 restrictions.”

“We know this has been a very unusual and maybe even a disappointing spring for your senior year of high school, but it is one that will always be remembered,” Mayor Jeff Dotson said. “As a token of recognition of your wonderful accomplishment and to remind you to embrace change, make the best of all situations, and forever keep your sense of humor, we hope you will enjoy this Class of 2020 tee shirt to wear in commemoration of your senior year!”

BUSINESS SUPPORT

Council, in partnership with the Wise Business Association and the UVA-Wise Alumni Association, also authorized two contests — Business Bingo and Restaurant Race — to build some positive energy and help the business and restaurant community focus on what can be done during the ongoing pandemic social restriction.

“The UVA-Wise Alumni Association is proud to be a part of this initiative to support our local businesses and restaurants and to create some positive energy during these difficult times due to the COVID-19 restrictions,” Director Beth Boyd said.
The town will purchase gift cards or certificates from participating restaurants and businesses to be randomly drawn on June 1 and July 1. Contests start May 8 and end June 30. Contestants can pick up their game cards at the participating businesses listed on the game cards.

For the Restaurant Race, contestants are asked to purchase a meal from eight different participating restaurants between May 8 and June 30 and submit the entry game card along with the eight receipts or copies of the receipts to the town by May 31 for the June 1 drawing or by June 30 for the July 1 drawing. Receipts must show the name of the restaurant, date of purchase and amount of purchase.

For Business Bingo, contestants are asked to make a minimum $10 retail purchase from at least five of the participating businesses between May 8 and June 30 and submit the entry game card along with the five receipts or copies of the receipts to the town by May 31 for the June 1 drawing and by June 30 for the July 1 drawing.
Questions? Contact Roberts at planner@townofwise.org or 276/328-6013, ext. 223.