Filled with tasks to support the downtown area & businesses SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. on Feb. 2 rolled out Challenge ’22, a free contest that seeks to “drive support” to downtown Syracuse establishments throughout the year “in a fun, interactive way.” The object […]
Filled with tasks to support the downtown area & businesses
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc. on Feb. 2 rolled out Challenge ’22, a free contest that seeks to “drive support” to downtown Syracuse establishments throughout the year “in a fun, interactive way.”
The object is to complete 22 of the 28 tasks outlined in the Challenge ’22 task list that is posted on website DowntownSyracuse.com.
The challenge will run throughout 2022, and participants can complete tasks in any order. Most tasks do not require a purchase, the Downtown Committee noted.
Materials will be mailed as participants sign up, and the organization will accept sign-ups throughout the year.
As participants work to complete the challenge, they will collect puzzle pieces to assemble one of six puzzles depicting a downtown Syracuse scene.
“Just one day into the launch of Challenge ’22, more than 175 people in the community have signed up to participate, demonstrating a commitment to support local businesses, cultural institutions and places in Downtown Syracuse throughout 2022,” the Downtown Committee said in a news release.
Signing up
Those interested can send an email to mail@DowntownSyracuse.com with “Challenge ‘22” in the subject line. The Downtown Committee encourages individuals and organizations who want to work as a team to sign up.
In the email, you’re asked to provide the information that includes your name; email address; preferred mailing address to receive physical mail (the Downtown Committee will mail participants a starter kit and puzzle pieces as they complete tasks); and preferred social-media information (so the Downtown Committee can follow along with progress).
Starter kits will include a welcome letter with instructions to participate; the Challenge ’22 task list; three Downtown Syracuse publications to help inspire participants; and the first three puzzle pieces in a puzzle, which participants will continue to build as they complete the tasks.
“As we were talking about potential awards for completing the challenge, puzzles rose to the top because they are symbolic of what we have been through, and the important role we each play in driving our community forward,” Merike Treier, executive director of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc., said. “The inspiration behind Challenge ’22 goes back to a lesson we learned early in the pandemic. We’re all a piece of our community’s puzzle, and when we work together and support local businesses, we make a significant impact.”
As participants make their way through the challenge list, the Downtown Committee will mail a puzzle piece for each task they complete. To receive puzzle pieces, participants must show proof of completed tasks by either taking a picture of the task completed, or screenshotting their proof from social media, and submitting the pictures via email to the Downtown Committee through the mail@DowntownSyracuse.com address.
The Downtown Committee encourages participants to share their progress on social media, but emailing their proof is the “only way” that they will receive subsequent puzzle pieces.
Some of the tasks
Some of the 28 items listed on the Challenge ’22 task list include (as provided by the Downtown Committee) include the following:
• “Visit a new-to-you retail business for some shopping inspiration. Share your love of shopping local by posting a picture of your favorite find(s).”
• “Is 2022 a year for you to expand your horizons? Spend at least $22 on something purchased in Downtown Syracuse that you find unique, or that is out of the ordinary for you. Food counts!”
• “Did you know Downtown Syracuse is home to more than 75 restaurants? Eat or pick up breakfast, lunch or dinner at a Downtown restaurant, take a picture of your amazing meal, and tag the business on your preferred social-media platform(s).”
• “Downtown is ‘lit.’ Take a picture of your favorite lighted building at night.”
• “Did you know membership to a downtown museum makes a great gift, for you or others? Visit, consider a membership or renew your membership at the Everson, Erie Canal Museum, Onondaga Historical Association, or the MOST. Post a picture of you enjoying the venue.”
• “Did you receive a gift card for a downtown Syracuse business? Send us a photo of your card and/or what you purchased.”