A move by a Vancouver Island couple that started a campaign to help those in the beleaguered hospitality industry is now seeing a groundswell as more and more area businesses sign on to help..“We all know someone who’s struggling … who keeps getting knocked down over and over again,” said Shelby Buchan who, along with her husband Andy, owns FBM Plumbing & Heating in the Cowichan Valley, about 100 km north of Victoria..“We managed to stay open this whole time and we’re thriving so it makes sense to help out other industries in town.”.The Buchans are expected to start handing out 10 $100 gift certificates Tuesday, coupons they purchased from local restaurants and others in the hospitality business that is struggling because of COVID-19..“It started as a way to help out,” Shelby told the Western Standard..“We’re a plumbing company in town and being a small community we know a lot of people who own businesses and restaurants and this isn’t the first time they’ve had to close down, pivot and change direction. We have a lots of customers who run restaurants and we thought why not show some support and buy some gift certificates to give away to give the businesses a boost?”.The couple posted details of the give-aways on their social media sites a few weeks back and it wasn’t long before other solvent businesses took up the challenge..“It really started after we were contacted by a R&H Williams Trucking who said they love what we’re doing and asked if we mind if they jumped on board,” Shelby said..“We said that sounds great —I mean more support and more people being reached.”.Shelby said the effort “got bigger and bigger” and simply exploded..“I believe there are now 10 companies doing this.”.Curtis Flynn owns the seafood restaurant, Fresh Kennys, in Duncan, BC, right smack in the middle of the Valley, and said he’s overwhelmed by the show of support..“It really makes you grateful to live in a community like this,” he said..One of the 10 companies involved in buying gift certificates — which range in total value from $200 to $1,000 — appealed to other businesses to pitch in..“The liquor stores around the province have had an excellent year, so we wanted to parallel the construction industry with support and challenge other liquor stores to jump on board to make a big difference Valley-wide,” read a posted statement from The Lion Rampant Scottish Pub, in nearby Maple Bay..Shelby is thrilled the challenge is out there..“What it’s done so far is incredible. It’s been overwhelming to see it spread in our own community,” she said..“We’re just really focussing on trying to keep our community going and just showing them love — we don’t want anyone to go away.”.She added the move doesn’t just help the businesses grappling to stay afloat..“It’s a great chance for people to win because a lot of them who are entering the contest are struggling as well.”.Shelby said she’s not sure how, or if, the give-away will continue to grow, or if other companies will step up..“If it grows bigger that’s great, but if it stays the way it is, I just hope we made a difference.”.Mike D’Amour is the British Columbia Bureau Chief for the Western Standard..,.mdamour@westernstandardonline.com
A move by a Vancouver Island couple that started a campaign to help those in the beleaguered hospitality industry is now seeing a groundswell as more and more area businesses sign on to help..“We all know someone who’s struggling … who keeps getting knocked down over and over again,” said Shelby Buchan who, along with her husband Andy, owns FBM Plumbing & Heating in the Cowichan Valley, about 100 km north of Victoria..“We managed to stay open this whole time and we’re thriving so it makes sense to help out other industries in town.”.The Buchans are expected to start handing out 10 $100 gift certificates Tuesday, coupons they purchased from local restaurants and others in the hospitality business that is struggling because of COVID-19..“It started as a way to help out,” Shelby told the Western Standard..“We’re a plumbing company in town and being a small community we know a lot of people who own businesses and restaurants and this isn’t the first time they’ve had to close down, pivot and change direction. We have a lots of customers who run restaurants and we thought why not show some support and buy some gift certificates to give away to give the businesses a boost?”.The couple posted details of the give-aways on their social media sites a few weeks back and it wasn’t long before other solvent businesses took up the challenge..“It really started after we were contacted by a R&H Williams Trucking who said they love what we’re doing and asked if we mind if they jumped on board,” Shelby said..“We said that sounds great —I mean more support and more people being reached.”.Shelby said the effort “got bigger and bigger” and simply exploded..“I believe there are now 10 companies doing this.”.Curtis Flynn owns the seafood restaurant, Fresh Kennys, in Duncan, BC, right smack in the middle of the Valley, and said he’s overwhelmed by the show of support..“It really makes you grateful to live in a community like this,” he said..One of the 10 companies involved in buying gift certificates — which range in total value from $200 to $1,000 — appealed to other businesses to pitch in..“The liquor stores around the province have had an excellent year, so we wanted to parallel the construction industry with support and challenge other liquor stores to jump on board to make a big difference Valley-wide,” read a posted statement from The Lion Rampant Scottish Pub, in nearby Maple Bay..Shelby is thrilled the challenge is out there..“What it’s done so far is incredible. It’s been overwhelming to see it spread in our own community,” she said..“We’re just really focussing on trying to keep our community going and just showing them love — we don’t want anyone to go away.”.She added the move doesn’t just help the businesses grappling to stay afloat..“It’s a great chance for people to win because a lot of them who are entering the contest are struggling as well.”.Shelby said she’s not sure how, or if, the give-away will continue to grow, or if other companies will step up..“If it grows bigger that’s great, but if it stays the way it is, I just hope we made a difference.”.Mike D’Amour is the British Columbia Bureau Chief for the Western Standard..,.mdamour@westernstandardonline.com
