Community Business Relief Program starts in McHenry County
Local businesses are the lifeblood of the community, providing the goods, services and experiences that feed our daily lives. These small business owners not only work tirelessly to contribute to our lives in ways we often take for granted, but also provide jobs that support so many of us, creating an economic circle of life.
This unprecedented time of global disruption is putting tremendous strain on everyone. Many vulnerable people must take precautions to protect themselves. Each of us must take precautions to protect those most vulnerable. All of which are creating severe economic strain on our local businesses, their owners and the employees who are so vital to the long-term health of our community.
There has never been a greater need for all of us to unite, not only to protect the health of our neighbors, but also to ensure the survival of our local businesses and the financial well-being of their employees - our neighbors. Even if temporarily closed, our local businesses still have rent, mortgages, utilities, taxes and many other fixed costs to bear. We have asked the participating businesses to pledge to do their very best not lay off employees and to sustain as much of their normal income as possible.
Together we can survive any challenge. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to unite for our community - to show our generosity and our compassion for one another - and to truly make a difference for our future. While there are government steps being taken to protect small businesses and to stimulate economic activity, there is no replacement for community support to help us all get through this and to come through a stronger, closer, more caring and vibrant community.
How can you help?
The McHenry County Community Business Relief Program has been established to provide a platform through which our community can continue to support our local small business brothers and sisters, even if we are unable to patronize them in person.
There are two ways to help.
Advance purchases of goods and services - We are working with individual businesses to create GoFundMe pages. You can go to www.MCBusinessRelief.org where there will be a directory of participating local businesses, and ways you can support them. Depending on this business, these may include delivery, carryout, and advance purchase options. You will also be able to get information on how to transact with them, including phone numbers, and links to web and GoFundMe sites, if available. All support of any size is welcomed; however we suggest continuing to support them by donating at least 50% of what you would have been spending there during normal times. If you generally spend $50 per week at a local restaurant, consider $25 per week in advance purchases to help to sustain them and their employees. You don't have to make a single purchase but can spread out your support over the duration of this crisis.
If you would rather make a general contribution, you may contribute to the McHenry County Small Business Relief Fund. This GoFundMe fund will be a discretionary fund to assist our local small businesses based upon individual requests and as funds are available to assist. The goal is to raise $50,000 for this fund to help our neighbors during this unprecedented crisis. 100% of the proceeds raised will go to assist local small businesses. All operating expenses are being funded through donations of time and private contributions by local benefactors.
How do businesses participate?
In order to participate, we ask you to pledge to use the funds received from our neighbors to pay necessary operating expenses and to make every effort not lay off employees and to sustain as much of their normal income as possible. We understand this may be difficult; however, we ask for your best effort to comply with the spirit of this effort, and the faith entrusted to you by your neighbors and the community.
To participate, go to the www.MCBusinessRelief.org Web page and register.
For more information Kirk Booher at kirk@mcbusinessrelief.org. Booher is a 28-year resident of McHenry County and currently resides in Algonquin. He is a small-business owner and a principal of Logan Pass Capital and RJK Partners, both based in McHenry County. Thanks to Vanessa Baker and Fast Forward Marketing of Crystal Lake for donating the website and technology support.