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Community Corner

This Saturday is Give Back Day in Concord

Event is now in its second year.


Give Back Day is a gem of a program that allows us to simultaneously do a little retail therapy while supporting our local merchants and nonprofit programs. It’s give, give and then give. All good. 

Now in its second year, Give Back Day began as a vision of a some small business owners in West Concord village who were looking for a way to boost sales and support the community that they cherish being a part of. The kick-off went so well last year, that organizers, Debra Stark of , Barbara Scofidio of , Hilary Taylor of , and the Concord Chamber of Commerce, are hopeful it will become an annual event. 

Each participating business, (see the list below) will donate 5 percent of its profits made between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., this Saturday, March 24.

For example, if you purchase a pair of gorgeous, handmade silver earrings from Merlin’s Silver Star for $60, (which I think I’m going to do for my cousin’s 50th birthday next month,) proprietor/jewelery maker Hilary Taylor will donate $3 from that sale to a pool with the other participating merchants that will be distributed equally among the nonprofits. (A list of beneficiaries is below.) The more we buy, the more Hilary and her contemporaries give, and the more our local - and much-needed - nonprofits will have in their coffers. 

This is not an easy time for businesses and nonprofits alike, and I fully understand it may be a poor time for many of us to be out shopping. But that is how this system works. You and me, the consumers, are responsible for 70 percent - nearly three quarters - of the health of our local and national economies. We play a significant role.

So put aside your debilitating guilt and get to West Concord Saturday morning and pick up a few early birthday, wedding and even Christmas presents that you’re going to have to purchase later anyway. Pick up some fabulous baked goods, ice cream, (may I recommend both the sweet and savory crepes at Reasons to be Cheerful?) and maybe even a little something for yourself. Every gift and item you purchase will keep on giving and giving. 

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You may have never needed to take advantage of any of the wonderful nonprofit organizations here in town, but many of us have. These programs are exceptionally well run and designed to assist us in situations we thought we’d never find ourselves in. Any additional funding they receive is a boost for their meager budgets and a godsend to their clients. You never know when you or your loved one will be in need of their valuable services. 

Participating business of Give Back Day are: , , , , , Nashoba Brook Bakery Cafe, noa jewelry, fine handcrafts & gifts, , and .

Nonprofits benefiting from the program are: Open Table, Communities for Restorative Justice, Concord Conservatory of Music, Concord Friends of the Library, Domestic Violence Services Network, Emerson Umbrella, Gaining Ground Minuteman Arc and Concord-Carlisle Community Chest. 

A silent auction will follow at Merlin’s Silver Star Studio. Facebook fans can like Give Back Day, by following this link.

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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