Online fundraiser for small businesses gets huge response

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

Small businesses forced to close as the result of the coronavirus are getting by with a little help from their friends.

Sparkles by Shells owner Michelle DeHosse launched an online fundraiser to help businesses that were forced to close last month.

The owner of the screen print shop, which was also affected by the closure, began to think of ways to help.

The “Keep Local Businesses Alive” online fundraiser began March 26.

“I needed to do something,” DeHosse said. “I know I still have bills to pay, so I am sure the rest of my fellow business owners do too.”

A vendor DeHosse worked with suggested an online T-shirt fundraiser featuring logos from area businesses.

“Because of my board position with the Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce, I am aware of many businesses facing some pretty hard decisions and I am hoping this can help ease some of the burden,” she said.

DeHosse began reaching out to a few neighboring businesses and got an instant positive reaction.

Business owners got in touch with DeHosse and provided her with a logo, photo or phrase and she began screen-printing them onto T-shirts or mugs to be sold for $20.

When an item is sold, the featured business receives $10.

Some businesses, DeHosse said, have decided to donate those proceeds to various charities around the Mon Valley.

So far, more than $2,000 has been raised through the online effort and more than 40 businesses and organizations are participating.

“There are eight more pending right now and I am getting emails and Facebook messages almost every hour with interest,” she said. “… It’s been extremely well received by the businesses in need, and as always, our local community has stepped up.”

Businesses that would like to participate can contact Sparkles by Shell to be included.

“Any business can participate, whether they are in the Mon Valley or elsewhere,” DeHosse said. “We do offer a shipping option, so neither the businesses or their customers have to be in the area.

“We do have mostly businesses, but I did have a couple nonprofits join too.”

To shop, go to stores.sparklesbyshell.com/shopsmall.

DeHosse said making sure businesses are taken care of will ensure they are able to continue offering services when the pandemic is over.

“If people want to continue to go to the local coffee shop, hair and nail salon or T-shirt place, then we need their help,” DeHosse said. “If you’re not a T-shirt person, no problem, everyone drinks from a cup, buy a mug.”

She added that the future will not be the same after COVID-19, which is why community support is important.

“I know how scary this is for businesses,” DeHosse said. “But look at how much this community has supported these businesses in just under a week.

“People care, they really do, just give the public a way to help and they step up in a big way.”

She is encouraging other local business to “get creative.”

“Reach out to your local chamber, Small Business Administration and government officials,” she said. “Get creative, because things will not be the same again.

“Unfortunately we are all going to have to not only think outside the box, but get rid of the box altogether.”