Help Holyoke funds go to 19 businesses, 98 employees

Checks were distributed last week to 19 local business owners and 98 employees from the Help Holyoke fund that was set up the first week of April to assist businesses that were mandated to close in the first wave of shutdowns due to COVID-19 directives.

A total of $68,100 was raised in 105 donations by May 19 to lead to the first distribution of funds.

When delivering the checks from the Help Holyoke project last week, Holyoke Chamber of Commerce director Holly Ferguson said the business owners were speechless — overwhelmed with appreciation for the community’s generosity.

Ferguson herself was close to tears when she shared that several teared up when she showed up with their checks.

Timing was perfect for making Help Holyoke check deliveries to the restaurants early Thursday evening. Word had just been received that day about the county’s waiver approval from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, allowing some variances from the state’s Safer at Home order.

Restaurant owners were contemplating the details for reopening — how to facilitate the capacity limitations and other requirements in place with the county’s waiver.

“It made a difference — a huge difference,” said Ferguson, relaying the response from restaurant owners when she handed them the Help Holyoke funds.

With further delivery of Help Holyoke checks to the rest of the 19 targeted businesses Friday, Ferguson herself was deeply humbled by the community’s support in these trying times.

Fund to remain open

Help Holyoke will remain open for several more weeks to look at the potential of further fund allocation, dependent upon donations and contributions, as well as continued needs.

“We’re very appreciative of everyone who contributed and gave from their hearts to help fellow community members,” said Tom Bennett, member of the Help Holyoke committee.

Still accepting donations, Bennett expressed the purpose to continue to meet the needs of people as they struggle to face challenges. There’s still an economic impact for business.

Half of the $68,100 was disbursed among the 19 businesses. The other half went directly to the 52 full-time and 46 part-time employees in those 19 businesses.

The targeted recipients were those that were mandated to close in late March: restaurants, bars, hair and nail salons, gyms, and theaters.

Checks can still be made to Help Holyoke for several more weeks. They can be mailed to First Pioneer National Bank, P.O. Box 27, Holyoke, CO 80734, placed in the bank’s night drop or given at the drive-through service at 150 S. Interocean Ave. in Holyoke.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up at https://bit.ly/helpholyoke.

For further information on Help Holyoke, contact Ferguson at 970-854-3517, Bennett at 970-520-4027 or Brenda Brandt at 970-466-3150.