Ten locally owned businesses in Tampa Bay are coming together to make the holidays a little brighter for a deserving family.
The initiative is coordinated by
LocalShops1, a grass roots organization that supports locally owned businesses through community events and promotions.
"This is truly a regional approach to what local means, with businesses banding together and crossing city lines to do this,'' says Ester Venouziou, founder of LocalShops1. "By coming together, local businesses can have a bigger impact, which of course helps the community.''
Over $3,500 worth of donations have been secured thus far, including a Christmas turkey from Three Birds Tavern in St. Petersburg, two mattresses from Tampa Bay Discount Mattresses, a collection of items from vendors at the Gulfport Tuesday Fresh Market and the grand prize of a full child's bedroom set from The Iron Pelican Antiques & Home Décor. Thirty businesses are expected to attend a holiday party hosted by Island Flavors and Things in Gulfport to donate toys for the family.
A holiday party will be hosted at The Yellow House Event Venue, where the prizes will be given to the family.
"Local businesses, in general, give much back to the community,'' says Venouziou. "Some studies show that, on average, local businesses give three times as much to local charities as compared to national corporations, so we weren’t surprised to see so much generosity.''
Families can be nominated by contacting:
[email protected] by December 14. Nominations should include the name, contact information, city they live in, ages of children and reason the family deserves to win. Self-nominations are not accepted.
Other local businesses interested in contributing prizes can contact
LocalShops1 or call 727.637.5586.
Writer:
Megan Hendricks
Source: Ester Venouziou, LocalShops1
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