provided to The Santiva Chronicle
While the holiday season seems far off, Community Housing & Resources is jingling those bells now by unveiling a decorating contest that will unite local businesses and community members while supporting affordable housing.
Participating businesses on Sanibel and Captiva Islands will hang the greens and light the lights from Nov. 21 to Dec. 9, 2025, for the Business Holiday Decorating Contest.
Voting cards will be available to residents and visitors to select their favorite decorated businesses and collect stamps for each business they visit. Once they earn six stamps, they can turn in their card for a chance to select the winning business and win a holiday gift basket.
“CHR has a strong partnership with local businesses, many of whom employ hard-working people who call CHR communities ‘home,’” said Nicole McHale, CHR Executive Director. “We’re excited to take that relationship to the next level in a fun and festive way.”
The Business Holiday Decorating Contest is new this year. Any local business is welcome to participate. CHR also offers businesses an opportunity to be a contest sponsor. Proceeds from sponsorships go to CHR’s programs that provide affordable housing to local working families and older adults.
Residents and visitors can get in on the fun, too, earning stamps for businesses they visit, and voting for their favorites in various categories.
The categories include Best Overall Display, Best at Night (Use of Lights), Most Creative, Best Island-Focused Theme, Best Storybook Theme, and Funniest. The voting deadline is Dec. 8, with all voting cards due to CHR.
“CHR wants this contest to be a community-wide celebration of the holidays and one another,” said McHale. “We’re looking forward to a fun and uplifting event!”
Voting cards will be available from CHR and participating businesses by the time the contest begins. For more information on participating or to be a sponsor, contact CHR at (239) 472-1189.
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