What's New in Old Town?
April 16, 2020
In this Issue:
  • April is Old Town Appreciation Month
  • Stay Safe and Support Old Town
  • Open for Business in Old Town
  • OTMRA Virtual Industry Meetups
  • LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois Industry Week
  • Support Old Town Nonprofits
  • Support Old Town Service Industry Workers
  • Upcoming Member Promotions & Events
  • COVID-19 Resources
  • COVID-19 Business Marketing Resources
April is Old Town Appreciation Month!
Participate in daily virtual challenges throughout the month to be entered to win a $25 gift card to the Old Town business of your choice!

Find out more information at oldtownchicago.org/appreciation

Only one entry per person per day. All entries should be submitted with contact information, including name, phone number, and email address. Promotion runs April 1 - April 30.

See Below for Today's Challenge!
A "Thank You" can go a long way! This #ThankfulThursday , give thanks to a neighborhood non-profit or the business or person that makes the Old Town community special to you. Send your #ThankfulThursday photos to rrubinson@oldtownchicago.org for a chance to win a $25 gift card to the Old Town business of your choice!
Stay Safe and Support Old Town
Shop local in Old Town in a healthy and safe way over the next few weeks. If you spend $30 at any Old Town business, you are eligible to receive a $10 gift card from the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association.

Find out more information at  oldtownchicago.org/shoplocal

Limited gift cards available. Limited one gift card per week of the promotion. 

Copies of receipts can be emailed to swaldorf@oldtownchicago.org  
with the subject line, “Shop Local Old Town.”

All copies of receipts should be submitted with contact information, including name, phone number, and email address. Receipts must be received by May 1st. Promotion runs from March 18-April 30.
Open for Business in Old Town
The OTMRA has created a running list of Businesses open in Old Town. The first posted installment highlights Restaurants offering takeout and delivery options.

Please email Marketing & Membership Coordinator Rachel Rubinson at rrubinson@oldtownchicago.org to add or correct information listed, and fill out the Restaurant or Retail forms below if you have not already.
LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois
Industry Week
As a resource for businesses and residents in the Old Town neighborhood, the OTMRA will host several Virtual Industry Meet-Up sessions throughout April. These virtual meetups are a platform for in-depth conversations between businesses, and are open to all merchants in Old Town.

Virtual Industry Meet-Up Schedule:

Health & Wellness: Friday April 17 at 10 AM
Health & Wellness Zoom Link , Meeting ID:  493 086 390
Dial-In:  +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

To RSVP, email Sam Waldorf at swaldorf@oldtownchicago.org.

LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois
Industry Week
Old Town Merchants and Residents Association is excited to be partnering with the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois to bring you Industry Week.
Join the LGBT Chamber of Commerce of Illinois as they host Industry Week! Each day will bring you networking opportunities based on industry. There will be updates, conversations, activities, and time to lean on peers for support. RSVP today, as advance registration is required.  Access the full events calendar and register here.
Support Local Old Town Non-Profits
Lincoln Park Community Services (LPCS)  is looking for non-perishable foods, goods, and water bottles. Below is a document that shows their exact needs (the items at the top are our highest priority). 

All donations can be dropped off at 1521 N. Sedgwick on any day of the week. LPCS accepts drop-offs (or deliveries) between 2pm and 7pm, but they can take them in the morning if needed.

People can also order items off of their  amazon wish list  or   donate to our meal fund .  

Please email  volunteer@lpcschicago.org  to arrange your drop-off and call 847.770.0380 if you have any questions.  Thank you!!!
Deborah's Place is also looking for assistance during this time.

If you would like to assist  Deborah’s Place during this time you could do one of the following:
  • Collect and drop-off nonperishable foods for our small in-house food pantries. We anticipate increasing food distribution for the foreseeable future. Items can be dropped off at our main location at 2822 W Jackson Blvd.
  • Make a monetary donation online. Donations made via check may be delayed in processing due to staffing.
Support Old Town Service Industry Workers
The OTMRA has created a running list of Old Town Service Industry relief fund efforts, posted on the OTMRA Shop Local page. Please email Marketing & Membership Coordinator Rachel Rubinson at rrubinson@oldtownchicago.org to add a missing link to the list, and consider a donation if you are able.
Upcoming Member Promotions & Events
What is a THANK-ATION?
The Windy City Travel THANK-ATION Fund provides nurses with a well-deserved vacation to say “Thank You” for their dedication, bravery and tireless work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The THANK-ATION – an all-expense paid vacation – is created and sponsored by Windy City Travel with the support of industry partners. Individuals can show their gratitude to hero nurses by providing monetary gifts to bolster the fund.

How It Works:
  • For the next four weeks, Windy City Travel will have a weekly drawing to select nurses from nominations submitted below.
  • The number of recipients will be based on that week’s Fund balance.
  • Nominations and gifts are not mutually exclusive: you may give a gift, nominate a nurse, or both. You do not need to make a monetary gift to nominate a nurse.
  • Nurses will be able to select their destination of choice and the THANK-ATION can be taken anytime in 2020 or 2021, though our gratitude will be never ending.
  • Nurses must work in the state of Illinois and can only win once.
COVID-19 Resources
The Old Town Merchants and Residents Association is prepared to act as a resource for businesses, educational institutions, and community members interested in staying up-to-date on best practices for responding to COVID-19 ("Coronavirus").
 
The OTMRA has created a resource guide for all businesses and residents in the community. The guide includes links to financial resources for businesses as well as general information for residents.
OTMRA Business Marketing Resources
The OTMRA is committed to helping businesses get the word out about any promotions they have during this crisis.

Please send any graphics or ads to Marketing and Membership Coordinator Rachel Rubinson at rrubinson@oldtownchicago.org.
The OTMRA has also created neighborhood window signs for you to place in the front of your stores to show what services you are currently providing. We encourage you to print them out and hang them up in your storefronts. Download them here.