The Shore area’s small business owners have been especially hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with many worried that closures and social distancing will last into the busy summer season.
One local firm had an idea to help: create free marketing videos for their fellow small business owners, while in exchange asking for a meal to be donated to those on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19.
Wingman Planning, a longtime member of the Brick Township Chamber of Commerce, is behind the videos.
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“I was watching companies all around us struggle and turn to layoffs and realized that we could help these businesses spread the word about what services they were offering to their customers,” said Tom Mirabella, the company’s owner. “Shane Kelley, our photographer, Chelsea Ryan, Chief Operating Officer and I decided to try offering a free video to businesses, using social distancing and taking the precautions of gloves and masks and, in return for this video, we asked the business to give a meal or meals to first responders and employees on the front line.”
The team adopted the #supporttheshore hashtag on social media and began crafting the videos in support of local businesses.
Four weeks later, the program has grown in popularity and the Wingman staff is producing between 10 and 15 videos per week.
“We have publicized the offer on Facebook and recently ran contests to encourage people to refer other businesses for a chance to win a $100 gift card from a local Jersey shore restaurant,” Mirabella said.
Businesses interested in participating in the program can visit the firm’s website at http://wingmanplanning.com or call 732-539-5980.
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So far, participating businesses have included:
A Need we Feed (Toms River) – serving 1,000 meals a week to Ocean and south Monmouth county residents in need, including vets and children. https://www.aneedwefeed.org
Petey’s U.S. Subs (Point Pleasant) – offering a free sub – The St Mary’s Sub – to anyone in need. https://peteysussubs.com
BCauses (Manasquan) – helping companies sell gift cards online with 10% to the non-profit of the consumer’s choice. https://www.b-causes.com
Golden Eagle Fishing (Belmar) – every wed afternoon, offering health care workers and their families a free trip on the boat. https://www.goldeneaglefishing.com
Brandl Restaurant – Belmar
Joey D’s Pizza – Brick & Toms River
Rivs TR Hub – Toms River
Cara Realtors – Brick
Home Care Assistance Jersey Shore – Brick
Brick Chamber of Commerce – Brick
River Rock Restaurant & Marina Bar – Brick
Furry Friends – Brick
Conti Fit – Brick
502 Baking Company – Brick
Davids Culinary Delights – Brick
Cordis Gourmet – Brick
Oakwood Point Pizza – Point Pleasant
Pampered Spirit Wellness Center – Point Pleasant
Frutta Bowls, – Wall Township
Pats Little Deli – Brielle
Barter Pays – Howell
NextHome Force Realty Partners – Red Bank
Casa Plumbing – Cream Ridge
Old Glory – Keyport
McDonoughs – Keyport
Lenora Cafe – Keyport
Aders Tavern Union Beach
Drifthouse by David Burke – Sea Bright
Ocean Mental Health Services – Bayville
Party Time – Morganville
CK Baseball – Morganville
Pure Maintenance – Spring Lake
Gorlin Pools & Spas – Lakehurst
Fratellos – Sea Girt
Preferred Powerwashing – Lakewood
Shooboo Trolley Shuttle Co – Manasquan
Garrow Wellness Center – Sea Girt
Shore Luxury Limos – Manasquan
Assured Mortgage Bank – Manasquan
Anytime Fitness – Point Pleasant
Sandler Sales Training – Wall Township
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