The Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce and Masks4Meds have rolled out the Plymouth One Fund, to provide financial support to qualifying small businesses in Plymouth affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The long term goal is to continue the initiative indefinitely to ensure small businesses have options for support when experiencing financial hardships. The PACC and Masks4Meds have set an initial goal of $250,000, and as a result of the fundraising efforts by the Masks4Meds team, the fund has already raised nearly $20,000.
The Plymouth One Fund will provide aid in the form of unrestricted grants to support rent, employee salaries and operating costs. The Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce will collect donations and administer the funds, with guidance from a committee comprised of members of the chamber.
Small businesses will be asked to complete an application to determine eligibility; businesses do not have to be a member of the chamber to apply. The Plymouth One Fund intends to release multiple funding rounds as monies become available.
“Thousands of businesses in our community are deeply impacted by the economic effects of COVID-19. These businesses support thousands of local jobs. They’re our friends and neighbors and the face of our community. We are committed to doing all we can to help them through this destabilizing time,” said Amy Naples, executive director of the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce. “At this time, it is imperative that we all work together to maintain the integrity and vitality of our small businesses, the backbone of our community. We are hopeful the community will support our efforts in helping our small businesses that are always the ones to step up and support all of us. In addition, the fund will also be teaming up with local businesses and organizations in Plymouth to create fundraising opportunities for the community to donate to the fund. The fund will grow by working together.”
The Plymouth One Fund will host its first fundraising event, Couchella, Saturday, May 9, from 7 to 10 p.m. Couchella is a virtual concert featuring hometown musicians performing from their couch to yours. Performers include Jake Hill, Hitch (of 3rd Left), Zak Fey (of 3rd Left), Hayley Sabella, Mike McKenna (of Mountain Weekend), Abigail Vail, Chris Ballerini, The Lindsays, and Pat and Tom Fey (of The Fey Band).
The music and will be aired with media Partner, PACTV on Verizon Channel 45 and Comcast Channel 15 as well as live streaming on PACTV’s Facebook and YouTube channel. The virtual event will raise money to support the fund, highlight heroes on the front lines and hear from inspiring businesses who have been impacted by the pandemic.
For questions about Couchella, reach out to Mike Hargrave at 508-410-5990 or email mike_hargrave@mhandco.com.
Masks4Meds is a grassroots fundraiser spearheaded by Plymouth residents. The initial goal was to raise funds to purchase surgical masks for Boston and South Shore hospitals, nursing homes, fire departments, police departments and other public facilities. As of today, the organization has provided 53,000 surgical masks to nearly 60 healthcare and public service facilities from Boston to Falmouth.
“Our team wanted to help,” said Kosta Haveles, founder of Masks4Meds. “We simply wanted to take action as concerned citizens, to do what we can to raise funds to immediately help our healthcare workers and provide financial assistance to those businesses we love to frequent. The support from the community has been off the charts and we want to make a positive impact with our donors’ support to get through this incredibly difficult time.”
To contribute to the Plymouth One Fund, visit www.plymouthchamber.com
