When non-essential businesses were forced to close in March due to the coronavirus, Publisher Angela Dailey was deeply concerned for local business owners. “There were a few sleepless nights, just thinking about all of these people who were about to lose their livelihood,” she shares. “I felt I had a responsibility to do something to help. So, I posted a comment on Facebook to see if anyone would be interested in sponsoring a small business raffle with a grand prize of $1,000. I offered to donate the first $250 if anyone else would be willing to donate. This would allow any business located in Carroll County that was adversely affected by the shutdown to be a participating business at no cost to them.”
Sidra McWhorter with Sweet Peas Boutique in Carrollton immediately jumped on board to donate, as well as Rhyne Owenby, who made a personal donation. Sarah Bearden with Dreamscapes Landscaping and Amy Hicks with City MedSpa quickly followed suit. “We had the entire $1,000 the next day,” says Angela. “When one of the initial donors dropped out, Jill Duncan with State Farm, Ashley Hendrix with Smith Brothers Supply and Mindy Mussell Banks with Pampered Chef quickly stepped in to cover the deficit.”
The “Love Our Locals” raffle ran the entire month of April to encourage members of the community to shop with local businesses by ordering takeout, delivery and curbside services, ordering products and services through social media, from the business’ websites or by phone.
“We had 801 entries and over $85,000 was spent with participating small businesses in April,” Angela says. “We donated advertising in West Georgia Woman magazine and shared the campaign all over social media, encouraging participating businesses to also share on their social media platforms. Sue Horn, owner of the StarNews, donated advertising space for the raffle in April as well. We are thrilled that our $1,000 investment brought in over $85,000 for small businesses in need, thanks to these women in our community who stepped in and answered the call to help our neighbors.”
Photo: Raffle donors back row from left: Angela Dailey, West Georgia Woman magazine, Jill Duncan, State Farm and Sarah Bearden, Dreamscapes Landscaping. Middle row from left: Mindy Mussell Banks, Pampered Chef, Amy Hicks, City MedSpa, Sidra McWhorter, Sweet Peas Boutique and Ashley Smith Hendrix, Smith Brothers Supply. Front: Lisa Huddleston Allen won $1,000 cash in the “Love our Locals” small business raffle. Not pictured: Rhyne Owenby.
