10 Ways to Support Local
It’s been quite a roller coaster ride these past few weeks navigating through uncertain times. One thing is for sure-the love we have seen from the local community supporting each other and local businesses has been wonderful. If you’ve been taking your social distancing pretty seriously, you might have missed it; businesses are now reinventing themselves and changing how they offer their products and services. For us, it’s a little more difficult because we must have direct contact with patients in order to treat them. While our office remains closed until further notice, we are still available to offer our services to patients who need emergency dental care.
While we patiently wait for this pandemic to subside, we can still help local businesses stay afloat during this time. Here are 10 ways you can help support local during social distancing:
Shop online - Most small businesses now offer their products online through their website or shopping sites like Etsy.
Buy a gift card - Buy it as a gift or for yourself to use later in store or online.
Order takeout or delivery - Restaurants are leading the change with innovative ways to offer their food and drinks. If you’re having trouble stocking up on groceries, takeout is a great alternative.
Write a review - Send them a virtual high five with a great review on Google.
Share on your social channels - Share your experience or a picture of your purchase on social media and tag them.
Schedule a service for later - If you know you will be needing a service in the future, consider scheduling your appointment and prepaying now.
Send a care package to a loved one - Purchase items from local shops and send them to a family member, friend, neighbor or client to let them know you are thinking about them.
Skip a refund - If you need to cancel an event or an appointment where a deposit was already made, consider postponing or donating your deposit so the business can pay their employees.
Send a thank-you - Let a business know you are thinking about them. A card or email with a positive message will go a long way.
Gather your community for a small-business fundraiser - Follow the lead of The Westfield United Fund, who partnered with the Town of Westfield, to help local businesses and their employees who have been devastated by the Coronavirus crisis.
Last week the Town of Westfield and the Westfield United Fund kicked off their We Love Local campaign to raise funds for local businesses with a porch performance by local Westfield celebrity and Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik. You can view the video HERE. To date, they have raised $40,000 for local businesses. We can all do a little (or a lot!) to help each other get through this. We are in this together! Stay strong!
