By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
For the past near decade, Kelly Nave of Kelly’s Studio of Dance has been building community through dance. Her studio is award-winning, as have been several of her students, and she has always made it a point to train her students in the fine art of dance, faith, and giving back to the community. Recently, Kelly reached out to me to let me know about a project that she and several other local businesses have been involved in for the past two weeks, and it’s a Facebook “party” called Cultivating Community for a Cause. While some of our readers may not be that involved in social media, the story of what they have accomplished to keep people engaged positively as we are in various states of “sheltering-in-place” is inspirational, and we wanted you to have some good news.
The idea was relatively simple, and businesses band together all the time to have various group events with givebacks/giveaways. Kelly rounded up the owners of Hobb’s Jewelers, Sweet Thymes Deli, Bean Beans, Athens Tanning Salon, Gotcha Covered, Bliss Boutique, Carla Lawrence Photography, Matilda Jane Clothing, and Salon Blush. They agreed to be involved in social-media based promotions with several goals in mind. Kelly told me, “We wanted to remind them we are here, and are still operating.” (With the current social-distancing/ essential business guidelines being exercised, of course.) Other goals were to “promote goodwill, put joy on social media” (to offset a lot of the negative), and Kelly wanted to express her gratitude to the businesses that have participated so far.
Although the original two rounds of the event are over as of today, here’s what they did and how they did it. The hope is that this is an idea that will catch on with other businesses as we ride this wild time out together…
Cultivating Community for a Cause
Because we love and serve an amazing community…
In an effort to encourage and lift spirits during this trying time, we have 10 local businesses that have come together to give back, promote goodwill, and spread a little JOY!
We all need some good news right now – and this could be REALLY good news for you!
Monday – Friday, March 23-27 & Monday – Friday, March 30-April 3 we will be choosing 1 lucky winner each day to receive a gift from a local business!
We want to support our community and thank all of you who patronize our local businesses! We are honored to serve Athens and Limestone County in the best ways we possibly can!
How can you win???
1. “LIKE” this post & comment below tagging a friend that may want to win too!
2. Share this post on your Facebook page!
3. “LIKE” all 10 business pages!
What can you WIN?
Carla Lawerence Photography – $100 gift certificate towards a Summer or Fall Session Carla Lawrence Photography
Matilda Jane – $50 Gift Certificate courtesy of Ashley Harris, Trunk Keeper #756915
Kelly’s Studio of Dance – $50 gift certificate
Hobbs Jewelers – A pair of Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings Hobbs Jewelers
Gotcha Covered ScreenPrinting – $25 Gift Certificate & an ATHENS SHIRT Gotcha Covered Screenprinting & More
Bean Beans – $25 Gift Certificate BeanBeans
Boutique Bliss – $50 Gift Certificate Boutique Bliss
Sweet Thymes – (2) Family Freezer Dinner Meals Sweet Thymes
Athens Tanning Salon – $50 gift certificate
Salon Blush – $25 Gift Certificate courtesy of stylist Haleigh Fairbanks SalonBlush
“LIKE”, Comment, and SHARE!
We want YOU to WIN!
We are here because of you, and for you!
If you go on the Cultivating Community for a Cause as well as the Kelly’s Studio of Dance Facebook pages, you’ll see the positive response, complete with “Oh my gosh, I never win ANYTHING!”-type responses. In addition, people are learning new skills in this time when many of our communications have become video-conference based, and as a result, business owners are doing things that are outside of their comfort zone and getting good at it. For example, Bean Beans is doing online sales for the first time by walking through the shop and filming inventory. Kelly has been filming the drawings, which have been literal pieces of paper with contestant names being picked out of a literal bucket.
Recently, Kelly and the studio were featured on WHNT for their letter writing campaign directed toward residents at Limestone Lodge. Kids who can only color clear up to high school kids have written letters to let those that are shut in know that they are loved and prayers are going up on their behalf during the COVID crunch.
Our thanks to Kelly and the rest of the businesses for their generosity in a time of uncertainty.
By: Ali ElizabethTurner
