Christmas came early for one lucky shopper in Hinesville this holiday season. Lillie Jones proved it pays to shop locally when the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority announced that she was the grand-prize winner of a $500 downtown shopping spree.

During recent holiday open houses, customers entered to win the shopping spree as well as a chance to win in-store prizes at 15 participating businesses.

“At first I thought it was a hoax, but God is good,” Jones said, “and when you praise him, he will find ways to return the praise to you.”

She realized it was not a hoax when program assistant Katrina Sage invited her to the HDDA board meeting to pick up the grand prize.

Jones remembered entering the contest while shopping at VIP Office Furniture and Supply. She recalled the cashier asking if she would like to participate in the shopping spree.

“I told the cashier that I never win anything but I might as well give it a try,” Jones said.