Closed by COVID-19 response, area businesses will receive community support from Foundation whose mission is to help the Loveland community in times of dire need

By: Chuck Gibson

 LOVELAND, OH (March 29, 2020) – The Loveland Legacy Foundation sprung from the community response to help following the Historic Loveland Downtown fire.

Loveland Legacy Foundation whose purpose is to Improve the Loveland Community (Photo Chuck Gibson) 

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread like wild fire all around the globe, across our nation, and into our own community with business closures and worker layoffs in response to stop the spread. Creative business owners are seeking innovative ways to stay open and continue to serve the public. There is no doubt they are literally fighting for their own survival. Loveland Legacy Foundation plans to offer assistance to area business owners to help them stay in business through the COVID-19 response.  

Steve Max (right) President Loveland Legacy Foundation and LLF Board Member Burt Huber (left)at a recent Foundation event in Historic Downtown Loveland (Photo Chuck Gibson)

“This type of crisis is what our organization was created for,” exclaimed Steve Max, President, Loveland Legacy Foundation.  “We want to help our smaller businesses survive this crisis and come back strong when it passes.”

Steve Max says Loveland Legacy Foundation is not alone in reaching out to help the Loveland community at large get through the challenges faced by individuals, businesses, schools and those providing necessary services, like city employees, medical personnel, first responders; the list goes on. The city announced earlier this week the coordinated effort to match needs with community resources. Max mentioned organizations in that group include LIFE Food Pantry, Care Center, NEST CLC, Loveland City Schools, the LSFD, the City Manager, Mayor Bailey, and the Loveland Police Department.

 “They are working to be able to really take care of the individuals and the families,” Max said. “That missing gap that was identified was the small businesses, how we could help with those small businesses, and really be able to target some of our work and use of some of our resources to help those guys.”

Advertisement

Max referred to the grass roots effort in response to the fire which ultimately resulted in the formation of the Loveland Legacy Foundation. They raised so much money then with the generous outpouring of donations from the community. They hope to replicate that effort now to assist the small businesses in the area being hardest hit by the response to this pandemic.

“We raised so much money and awareness with gift cards and other donations we were able to return to the small businesses and really help them and their employees,” explained Max. “We were able to be that resource for them to take that burden off of them.”  

advertisement

The Loveland Legacy Foundation is taking a double-edged approach. First, they are asking the area small businesses affected to reach out with requests identifying their needs.

 “We don’t have all the answers,” Max said. “We certainly welcome that contact with information on how we can help bridge that gap for them in this time of need.”

Secondly, equally important, the foundation is reaching out asking the community at large to give where they are able. Gift cards are being accepted to help unemployed workers bridge the gap. In a information release, Loveland Legacy Foundation invited the public to consider purchasing, then donating, a gift card from an area business or store where people in need may be able to obtain the resources they need to get through this difficult time.

 “Loveland area businesses need us all the time,” said Cee Cee Collins, CEO Little Miami River Chamber Alliance and founding member of Loveland Legacy Foundation. “They are the fabric of our community, and have always been generous to all of us. It’s time for us to give to them. Thank you!”

Advertisement

Advertisement

One example of the type of help Loveland Legacy Foundation is offering is the ability to help Care Center, LIFE Food Pantry and NEST connect with the client/families they serve by providing a “Zoom” account. It would allow them video conferencing to virtually connect with those families and clients they serve during this time of need. Instead of people having to pile in to facilities and risk exposure, they can have safe, contact-free, virtual conferences when possible.

 “It’s small businesses,” Max said. “But, at the end of the day, it’s the small businesses plus the people in the community that we want to help.”

Loveland Legacy Foundation President Steve Max (far right) shares the foundation story with a couple in Loveland (Photo Chuck Gibson)

Max says they are closely monitoring all the contacts that come to them through their website: www.LovelandLegacyFoundation.org. It is the best way for businesses in need to reach out and let the foundation know what needs they have.

Individuals with personal needs should connect with the Community Resources site launched last week online at: https://sites.google.com/lovelandschools.org/lovelandcommunityresources/home. Or People can call the Community Resource number: 513-781-6345

For those of you who can help, here is a list that shows area businesses selling gift cards and their hours: https://lovelandoh.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=204

Gift cards can be dropped off at: Alley Boutique located in Historic Downtown Loveland, Ohio: 210 West Loveland, Ohio. (drop cards in secure mailbox next to the flagpole), or at the Little Miami River Chamber of Commerce: 425 West Loveland Avenue  (place it in mailbox)

 Loveland Legacy Foundation is also requesting monetary donations for business owners in need of financial assistance to help with rent or supplies during the COVID-19 response. Please make monetary donations directly to Loveland Legacy Foundation at: www.Lovelandlegacyfoundation.org .