Cottonwoods Kitchens owner Nancy Lewis has come up with a creative way to help customers give back to the community.
She has started Charity of Choice at her kitchen and houseware store in downtown Nelson. With every purchase, customers can enter a 50/50 draw. The winner of the monthly draw receives a $50 gift certificate and another $50 goes to a charity of the customer’s choice, in the customer's name.
It was on her mind for a few months figuring out how to get businesses involved with local charities.
Then Lewis said to herself “let's just get it started” (at her store). When she began Charity of Choice in June, Street Clothes Named Desire jumped on board right away. Lewis hopes that more businesses will be inspired to adopt the idea in whatever way, shape or form that they wish.
Local businesses make millions of dollars in donations to local causes every year.
“I want people to realize that the money from those donations comes from them, the customers,” said Lewis.
Lewis is feeling good about it as the response has been positive. As far as choosing the local charity, she said, “It’s not for me to decide. They (customers) are happy and kind of amazed” that they get to give $50 to a local charity of their choice.
“It’s a feel good situation where it’s good for the charity, and business and the person who wins feels good.”
Lewis added that she is very appreciative that people shop locally as it gives a vibrancy to the downtown core of Nelson. “If a lot of businesses take this up, we could be known as the community that gives.”