.

• All raffle proceeds were donated to Arlington's Holiday Help Program. Shop Arlington First presented the program with a total of $1.258!

• Mike Buglio, owner of The Book Rack and a Shop Arlington First participant, was the lucky winner of the entire contents of the stocking.

• Thanks to the generoisty of the local businesses, Mike won a stocking valued at a skosh more than $3,100! Here is Mike with RCN's Sarah Robinson picking up all of his gifts (too many to fit in the photo!).

Take a peek inside what Mike took home!

Next year, you can have a chance to enjoy ALL of the above when you buy raffle tickets for the contents of the 5-foot long Big Red Stocking.

Details from 2007. . .

Participating Shop Arlington First businesses donated a gift or gift certificate (retail value of $20-many far excceded this!).

On First Lights Saturday, December 1, Santa Claus drew the name of the single winner of the entire contents of the stocking on the steps of Town Hall.

A total of  $1,258, all of the proceeds from the Big Red Stocking raffle, were donated to Arlington’s Holiday Help Program. Since the early 1990's, this non-denominational and confidential gift-giving program has served Arlington children and families celebrating holidays in December. Families needing help with gifts are matched with individuals and groups who will do the giving. The program also accepts monetary donations-such as the Big Red Stocking proceeds-to serve even more families. The program is coordinated through the Arlington Youth Consultation Center and serves families and children of all different belief systems in Arlington.

Raffle Tickets Details . . .

Raffle tickets ($1 each; 6 for $5) had been on sale from November 15 until 1:00pm on December 1 at the following locations:

• Leader Bank in East Arlington
• Leader Bank in Arlington Center
• Wanamaker Hardware in Arlington Heights

Next year, we hope to sell them online!

Big Red Stocking Participants in 2007. . .

AFD Theatre

Anderson's Florist

Arlington Center for the Arts

Arlington Chamber of Commerce

ARTBEAT The Creativity Store

Artwear
Balich 5 & 10

The Basket Jeanie
Body Mind Systems
The Book Rack
Cambridge Savings Bank
Cameras Inc.

The Capitol Theatre

Careful Carriers Moving Services LLC

The Chilly Cow

The Computer Cafe
Continentale Hair Salon
Coyote Impressions
Creative Expressions Salon

The Dance Inn
Derby Farm Flowers & Gardens
Divinity's Splendour-Glow

Giles Fine Wine

Gold's Gym of Arlington
Gormley Chiropractic

Hawthorn Suites

Helena's
Holovak & Coughlin Sporting Goods Store

Horizons Salon & Day Spa
Inside/Pink Dolly
Jacki Sorensen's Aerobic Dancing
Janiak's Unique Shoe Boutique
Ruth Knill, Licensed Acupuncturist

Krazy Karry's Backyard Grill

La Ladybug Boutique

Laura's Sewing School & More

Leader Bank

Maxima Gift Center

Monroe Salt Works

Morgan K. Cohen Home Inpsection LLC

Murray Muscular Therapy Associates

New Europe Marketplace

Paper & More Party Goods
Play Time Inc.

Print Aspects
PTO Thrift Shop

Pumkin Pie Design

RCN
The Regent Theatre

Ronald A. Riesz, Dispensing Optician

Ryan's Florist

Swanson Jewelers Inc.

Wanamaker Hardware

Watertown Savings Bank
Za

Take a peek inside!