Local First Alliance business members are always looking for opportunities to give back to the community. The American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) reports that, on average, .46 cents on the dollar stays local when spent locally, compared to .15 cents. This is because local businesses tend to reinvest in the region they call home. And with the new school year fast approaching, several Local First businesses have our Upper Valley students in mind.
Lake Sunapee Bank
For the second year in a row, Local First Alliance member Lake Sunapee Bank’s Charitable Action Committee is organizing Operation Backpack, an effort to collect backpacks and school supplies from employees and customers for children in need. The goal of Operation Backpack is to give local kids a positive start to the school year, helping them feel prepared and confident. Last year Lake Sunapee Bank branch employees proudly distributed 72 backpacks throughout Orange, Windsor, and Rutland counties in Vermont and 132 backpacks throughout New Hampshire. “The response from our employees and customers was just overwhelming and truly inspiring,” said employee Melissa Case.
If you would like to contribute to Operation Backpack, donations of school supplies are being accepted at participating branches of Lake Sunapee Bank until August 14.
Salt hill Pub
Salt hill Pub, another Local First Alliance member doing their part to give back, will hold their 9th Annual Hawaiian Shirt Open this August 23. The golf tournament raises money for the Tom and Judy Tuohy Memorial Scholarship Fund, which promotes strong academic performance and citizenship among local high school students by awarding scholarships to graduating seniors at Sunapee High School and Newport High School. The Tuohy family owns the Salt hill Pubs in Hanover, Lebanon, and Newport, New Hampshire.
If you are interested in participating, donating, or sponsoring, please contact Josh Tuohy at Salt hill Pub in Lebanon, 603.448.4532.
For more great local businesses who put our community first, please check out our Local First Alliance online directory.