The Oakdale Chamber of Commerce has launched another shop local campaign this holiday season and it’s not just for members. The campaign has been modernized for today’s social media shopper and is called “Where’s Oakie the Elf”.

Various businesses around Oakdale will have images of an Elf on the Shelf sporting his cowboy gear. Oakie the Elf has been hand selected by Santa to represent the Cowboy Capital of the World. As you visit various businesses now through Dec. 12, you will find Oakie the Elf in person or as a printed graphic. Any photo of the Chamber’s ‘scout elf’ that is posted on Facebook or Instagram and tagged #OakieTheElf will give the owner of that social media account a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to an Oakdale based business. There is no limit to how many pictures you post as long as it’s tagged with #OakieTheElf and the social media account belongs to someone over the age of 18. Winners will be drawn starting Dec. 1 and each of the following 12 days a new winner will be selected and posted on the Oakdale Chamber’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

The program is not only designed to encourage residents to visit Oakdale businesses but also to promote and generate followers of social media business pages. As a business, the Chamber recognizes the daily struggles businesses encounter to be successful today. Oakie the Elf is being utilized during the holiday season to help generate some social media buzz and serve as a reminder to Oakdale residents to Shop Oakdale First.

The Oakdale Chamber of Commerce is pleased to offer this program to all Oakdale based businesses this Christmas shopping season, and not just to Chamber members.

Businesses are encouraged to have participants post their pictures and tag the business’s location. By doing so, friends of the customer will see the business page which may lead to more followers or a visit to their business. This is one more advantage the Chamber offers to assist businesses in marketing their business. There was no charge for a business to participate they simply had to provide a $25 gift certificate to an Oakdale based business. These certificates will be the prizes up for grabs. Currently Oakie the Elf has over 25 gift certificates to award to those who post his picture and tag #OakieTheElf.

This is a program of the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce. For those who don’t have social media accounts and want to enter to win call (209) 847-2244 for details. The Chamber office is at 590 N Yosemite Ave., Oakdale. Follow them on Instagram @OakdaleChamber or visit their Facebook event “Where’s Oakie the Elf” for more information.