The economic shutdown brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is crushing many local businesses. The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is trying to help them with an upcoming Gift Card Grab Week, to be held May 3-9.
Typically around this time of the year, the Affiliated Chambers of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce are busy hosting or planning restaurant weeks in communities like Saucon Valley. However, with the recent COVID-19 mandates that limit eateries to sales of food and drink “to go,” the chamber is thinking outside the carryout box and planning an inclusive event they hope will benefit many local businesses.
Jessica O’Donnell, Chamber Executive Vice President of Affiliated Chambers, said the decision to create a special event was motivated by a sincere desire to help local businesses that are struggling as a result of pandemic-related restrictions.
“Our thoughts continually remain with our small business community,” she said. “We want all of them to weather this storm and come back stronger than ever. Over the last month, we have been constantly thinking of new and innovative ways to help our small business communities survive and thrive during these times, and Gift Card Grab Week is just one example of our laser-focused efforts.”
How will Gift Card Grab Week work?
The Chamber is asking any and all types of businesses that want to participate to come up with a gift card deal to offer consumers. For example, the deal could be that customers who pay $25 get an extra $5 in value on their card. Once their offer is identified, each business will share how the deal can be purchased (online or call-in). Finally, businesses will need to submit the information about their deal via an online form by Friday, May 1.
“This will allow enough time for deals to be uploaded to the Valley-wide participation list,” O’Donnell explained.
Gift Card Grab Week itself will take place from Sunday, May 3 through Saturday, May 9.
The participating small businesses and sponsors will receive exposure not only in their own community, but also across the entire Greater Lehigh Valley community. In addition to the Affiliated Chambers–which include East Penn, Greater Bath, Greater Northern, Hellertown-Lower Saucon, Nazareth, Northampton, Southern Lehigh, Western Lehigh and Whitehall–the initiative will also include businesses located in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.
In addition to the exposure from the GLVCC through Gift Card Grab Week, the Chamber recently launched and continues to promote and update an #OpenWeStandLV webpage that lists (according to community) businesses that are open during the pandemic.
The Chamber has done its best to reach out to all local businesses via contact information on file, but in some cases the information may have been out of date.
“If your business was missed I can assure you it was not intentional, and anyone who wishes to be added or if your information or services have changed please send that information to Lauren Bertucci at laurenb@lehighvalleychamber.
“This worldwide pandemic is like nothing we have ever seen before and for that reason, the Chamber is striving to extend its reach beyond normal limits,” she said. “This (Gift Card Grab Week) initiative is also not restricted to members. Both members and future members are invited to join in this marketing initiative for free. We want to help in any way we can to positively impact your cash flow!
“The Lehigh Valley is full of so many small businesses that display heart, grit and love for their communities,” she added. “The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber, now more than ever, is here to rally around these businesses, build connections and increase exposure.”
A list of participating businesses may be found here.
Sponsors for the event include Kitchen Magic (Silver), Fellowship Community (Silver) and Lehigh County Humane Society (Bronze).
