Crowdfunding Campaign Results in Free PPE Store for Ferndale Businesses
Ferndale, MI – Businesses in Ferndale can now go to a central location and get supplies that will help their business stay clean and safe for customers and employees as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
What makes this project unique is that it was made possible by a crowdfunding campaign which matched donations from private individuals in our community. In May, the Ferndale DDA teamed up with Main Street Oakland County, the Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Ferndale on the #OPENINFERNDALE Patronicity Crowdfunding Campaign.
It ran for 30 days and received 81 patron donations totaling $4,547. Those donations were matched with grant funds and a generous contribution from Jim Schaffer and Associates for a total of over $21,000!
The Ferndale DDA is managing the shop. They’re purchasing supplies whenever possible from local businesses who have adapted their inventory during the COVID-19 pandemic. These items include hand sanitizer refills from Valentine Distilling and Traverse City Whiskey, sanitizer spray from Ace High, reusable handmade cloth masks from Hook & Eye, and Woodward Movement provided custom printed reusable masks, lanyards and on the hip pockets.
They are also offering one-on-one consultations to help businesses navigate through these challenging times
Todd Heimler of Fasteners Resource volunteered to help staff the store along with the DDA’s Sommer Realy. Though his industrial supply business is located in Ortonville, he has many customers in the Ferndale area, and welcomed the chance to be involved. “I’m a people person,” he said. “I like to volunteer and meet people. I know a lot of these businesses are having a hard time. Having someone here to talk to can help.”
Anthony Fotiu of Detroit Chemical and Paper Supply Company chipped in product to the effort. “We’re all about clean environments,” he said. “That’s what we do.” Like others involved in the collaboration, he stopped in Tuesday to see how things were going.
The Free PPE Marketplace will run from September to November inside the original Blumz…by J.R. Designs building, located at 503 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale, MI 48220.
Registration is required by visiting www.surveymonkey.com/r/ppemarketplace.
The Ferndale DDA extends their gratitude to everyone who has made this marketplace possible. This is one of the many ways we aspire to convey our central message during this time – Ferndale, We Care. Thank you for sponsoring:•Jim Shaffer and Associates•Vibe Credit Union•Michigan Spline Gage•Individual Donors to the Patronicity Crowdfunding Campaign
Thank you for donating: •Detroit Chemical•Fasteners Resource•Detroit Axle
Thank you for supporting:•Main Street Oakland County•City of Ferndale•Open in Ferndale•Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce•Ferndale Downtown Development Authority•Blumz….by J.R. Designs