Theory Real Estate wants to help out and loves T-shirts. So how does one combine the two. Well... they launched a campaign last month to feature local businesses all around the Pacific Northwest who have been impacted by Covid-19 and to learn how the community can support them. They wanted to spread even more awareness and raise some money for charity, so they made T-shirts! 
100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Tacoma Rescue Mission, an organization that serves some of the most vulnerable members of our community. The shirts are $25 each with FREE shipping. They are taking preorders now until May 10th, and then the shirts will be printed and shipped out. And they’ll be printed right here in Tacoma by Odegard Print Co!

Thanks Theory, for your creativity and concern for our community. We hope we see tons of your shirts around town (once we can actually be seen around town!)
​
You can order your shirt right HERE  PNWStrong.com

It was good to see yesterday that Congress passed the a second helping of the CARES Act. Hopefully some of those funds will flow into the hands of those who so desperately need it. Our member banks are working hard to get applications in. And in the meantime, we need to stay informed. And that's where our member media organizations have been stepping up.

Historic Tacoma Living
For instance, Mike Skiff, owner and publisher of Historic Tacoma Living and Life at the Points, is offering small-business spotlight interviews via Facebook Live. They are broadcast publicly to shine a light on what our local businesses are doing to keep moving forward and to show how the community can continue to support and do business with them during this time. He also has been conducting virtual happy hours via Zoom every other week, bringing in experts from different arenas to share a few thoughts (marketing resources, government aid resources, etc.) and then host robust discussion and Q&A around those topics (they also use the time to unplug a bit and enjoy one another’s company in true happy hour fashion). In addition, Mike has been conducting high-impact business strategy sessions via Zoom; 45-minute complimentary business strategy coaching sessions not only for his clients, but the general small business community here locally. These are aimed not only at marketing strategies and ideas specific to this time, but also general business coaching and strategizing to position your business for massive growth on the other end of this particular season. If any of these would be of value to you or you would like more details on, please let Mike know. [email protected]

KNKX Radio
KNKX has put together a resource of virtual arts performances, civic events, and other online ideas at our website. www.knkx.org/knkx-community. They have also been covering the outbreak over the last month with a podcast called Transmission. It's available here and anywhere people listen to podcasts: www.knkx.org/programs/transmission. If you have any questions, you can talk to Erik Hanberg - Marketing and Communications Manager - KNKX | 88.5 [email protected] | 253-993-5615.

ShowCase Media
On March 26th, ShowCase Magazine launched the Covid 19 Compassion Project. Their goal has been to support local businesses and their initiatives have been two fold:

1. To encourage those that can to buy gift cards through local businesses and order take out.
2. To tell stories of those heros that are emerging during this time to unselfishly provide support during this trying time.

To that end, they developed a shop local social media application that allows Facebook users to change their profile picture to encourage shop local.
You can see more information and examples on their website. www.showcasemedialive.com
They can also provide pictures and quotes. Please advise them about what you will need.
Robin Lucas, Publisher, ShowCase Media
phone 253.826.9001 fax 253.799.9189
showcasemedialive.com

We know there are many more of you doing great things, and we'll try to give a shout out to all of you. You deserve it.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. And thank you for all you do.

Yes, it’s true, there’s unfortunate news coming out of the SBA today. The SBA has lapsed in appropriations for disaster funding. This can only mean that more people will be in need. Fortunately we have many Chamber members who are stepping up to the plate – no pun intended – by doing what they can to offer food to those who need it.
 
For instance:
Ocean 5 is providing Community Meals, Monday-Saturday from 2PM - 4PM for any community member who is in need. No questions asked, just come by and they will make sure you have a meal. Two partners have joined them to help support this effort - Sysco & Pacific Coast Fruit.
 
Georgio’s Catering has partnered with the local Master Builders Association-Pierce County who is soliciting membership for donations, by matching donations of up to 40 meals. You can make a donation here.
 
And Bliss Ice Cream is taking ice cream to local health care workers a few times a week. Photos and details can be found on their Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/blisstacoma and they are accepting donations here.
 
And this is far from the end of the list of people, businesses, and organizations that are making a difference – specifically in terms of food. We will continue to shout out their great work as the weeks continue. Thank you for all you are doing.

​TACOMA, Wash. – The Tahoma Business Environmental Award is presented annually by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to a local business for its outstanding environmental stewardship.
 
This year’s award recipient is Courtesy Auto Service & Tire of Tacoma

Courtesy Auto took great steps in 2019 to reduce their carbon footprint in Pierce County. Some key features include:

• Converting and rewiring every light fixture to LED, roughly 640 - 4 foot bulbs switched out
• Took 4 in ground lifts out of service, drained & sealed them, and installed 2 above ground lifts- migrating any underground contamination
• They recycle used oil and transmission fluids, burning it in a special unit for heat in the shop
• They recycle scrap metal, and wastepaper
• All old oil filters are recycled according to the Department of Ecology’s parameters

 
Visit Courtesy Auto for more information.

More information on their green business practices can be found here
 
The Chamber is proud to recognize forward-thinking businesses and organizations throughout Tacoma and Pierce County. Congratulations, Courtesy Auto! 
 
The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber is a member-based, business and economic-growth organization, dedicated to making the South Sound the best place to do business in Washington State.

OK, we all know that our current situation isn't ideal for any of us. At best we're working from home, missing the comradery of our colleagues. At worst... well, I don't even want to go there. But there is good news. The good news is that, intertwined with all this awfulness, many of our members are doing really great things to make sure our community stays safe, intact, and strong. We sent out a request to find out what you're doing and we shouldn't have been surprised when the stories started streaming in. So we're going to use this blog as a shout out to all of you who are helping in any way you can during this crazy moment in time. 

​Our first shout out is going to St. Vincent de Paul of Tacoma, Pierce County. True, they always are doing things to help the neediest among us. However, even though their retail operations are temporarily shut-down, they are still providing mission outreach services through the SVdP Help Line (253-426-1710) and online at [email protected]. They are limited in what they can provide in rental assistance, but are providing gift cards for gas and food and also motel vouchers for individuals or families facing homelessness or in need of a safe place to stay.  As Tracy Peacock, their Executive Director says, "We will do whatever we can to help our neighbors in need, with what we have, for as long as we can."

Thank you for your commitment to our community.

If you or your business are doing something that you'd like to let people know about, send an email to either Len Ganduglia at [email protected] or Kristi Brady at [email protected].