Thanksgiving is already behind us and with Christmas just three weeks away, the annual Christmas at Home program is quickly winding down. However, a popular side event to the food and toy drive, the “Treasure Hunt” is just about to get underway for another year.

Pam Allred, who organizes the Christmas at Home and Treasure Hunt each year, has announced the official hunt for treasure and prizes will begin next Monday, December 9. This year, there will be some subtle and more noticeable changes to the event.

In most years past, the hunt for the main prize has lasted right up to, if not past, Christmas day, and this year Allred hopes to narrow the scope of the program and have the treasure and prizes found prior before Christmas arrives.

There will also be changes in the grand prize amount versus prizes hunters can win when they find the smaller prize items and draw for a prize.

This year, whoever finds the main prize will receive $1,200 cash.

To make it better for all other treasure hunters who find the smaller prizes, the items they can win will be of higher value and will be limited to one per household.

Allred noted that in the past, all prizes, which are donated by local businesses, that were valued at $20 or more were lumped together and included in the grand prize. This year, however, all prizes, despite the dollar value amount, can be won by finding the smaller prize pieces that will be hidden around participating businesses when clues are given out over the radio each day.

“All clues will be given out over the first 12 days of the hunt,” Allred said. There will still be the random drawings for smaller prizes found, as persons who find them come by WANY Radio Station and draw out an envelope revealing what they have won. However, the winner of the grand prize will need to keep up with the clues, she added.

Allred also noted that if the grand prize isn’t found by December 21, she would compile the clues and/or narrow the search area in which treasure seekers are to look for the main prize.

The Grinch will also have a more active role in this year’s Treasure Hunt, according to Allred.

Once again, as part of the overall Christmas season, Santa Claus will make an appearance at WANY on Saturday, December 14 from 1-3 p.m., so please bring your own cameras if you want a photo with St. Nick.

The specific theme of this year’s hunt, as well as what the smaller prize emblem people will be looking for to win prizes will be announced later and aired on WANY prior to next week’s start date.

The following is a listing of what to keep in mind about the Treasure Hunt, including some important rules to follow:

1) Clues will be given on WANY 100.9 FM, Monday-Saturday at 10:30 a.m. and repeated at 4:30 p.m.

2) Clues to find the grand prize will not be in any given order and you will have to choose which words are clues and decide on their meaning.

3) Grand prize cannot be claimed by the same winners two (2) years in a row.

4) Everyone is eligible to participate except for WANY employees and immediate family members.

5) Remember, the treasure will not be hidden in any manner that would be harmful to treasure hunters or cause damage to property.

6) Hunting on the following is prohibited: Schools, churches, cemeteries, any emergency services or historical sites and residential property.

7) Keep in mind that the treasure hunt is a game, please be courteous and a good sport and join in the fun.

Finally, the grand prize will be hidden inside city limits of Albany.

Happy hunting!