If you're anything like me, you've been amazed at the way our community has come together -- and supported one another -- during the COVID-19 crisis and the ensuing economic shutdown.  

     Hundreds of thousands of dollars have already been raised -- and spent -- to support locals in need of food, shelter and other types of assistance.  But the need is still there ... and the coffers of our many local non-profit organizations are starting to run empty.

     As always, the Whitefish Community Foundation is leading the charge to support local non-profits, and has designated today as a "Day of Giving & Unity" in an effort to support the many non-profits that feed, house, educate, enrich and nurture our neighbors and friends in this time of need.

      Nearly $200,000 has already been raised in the first few hours of the effort, which continues through the end of the day on Wednesday (May 6).

Who you'll be helping ...

     More than 70 different organizations are participating in today's "Giving Tuesday" effort, including many Whitefish Chamber members.  A poartial list of the folks you'll be helping includes:  Alpine Theatre Project,  Children's House Montessori School,  Dream Adaptive Recreation,  The Glacier Institute, the  Glacier Symphony,  Shepherd's Hand,  Sparrow's Nest, Whitefish Legacy Partners and the Whitefish Review.

 

     To make a donation or for more information,  CLICK HERE ... and do it today!

     Sorry folks ... I couldn't resist.  A good friend (also a huge Mexican food fan) sent this my way this morning, and it just seemed too perfect.

     There's nothing 'normal' about the way we're living (and doing business) these days.  We're all in the Twilight Zone right now, and it looks like we're gonna be there for a while.  Most local businesses are in the process of reopening their doors after an involuntary six week shutdown, but it's anything but "business as usual."

Events and activities still on hold ... for now

     As much as I'd love to tell you that we'll be holding our Business Breakfast next Wednesday morning at the Moose, our Gone Fishin' the following Thursday at the Pine Lodge, and Feast Whitefish at the end of this month all around town ... I can't.  And we won't.  Until we get to "Phase 2," we can't even think about bringing our community together in groups larger than 10 ... it just doesn't work.

     On the positive side, we'll continue to host our "Business Breakfast" series online rather than in-person ... the next installment is next Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. with Glacier Park International Airport's Rob Ratkowski, who'll be talking about the airport's multi-million dollar expansion plans.

     With any luck, we'll have our first post-COVID "Gone Fishin'" in June at the Alpine Apothecary, and we're looking at possible dates in the September/October time frame for an abbreviated Feast Whitefish this Fall.

Visitor Center prepares to reopen for summer

     The Chamber offices and Visitor Information Center have been closed to walk-in traffic since mid-March when the COVID crisis kicked into gear.  Utilizing staggered shifts and remote working options, we have continued to serve our members Monday thru Friday from 9-5.  

     Our primary mission the last two months has been to keep you -- our members -- informed about the rapidly breaking developments that affect you, your business, your employees and our community ... and to try to get you the help and resources you need to survive life in the Twilight Zone.

      We'll continue to do that in the days and weeks to come, but we're also planning for the reopening of our town's official Visitor Information Center ... just as soon as we're allowed to host visitors again!  Like your businesses, the VIC will look a little different -- and a lot more sterile -- than we might like, but it'll be safe for both our visitors and staff, as well as our members and the community. 

     In the meantime, call Melissa or I at the Chamber offices anytime if we can help; keep us informed of what you're doing to get "back to normal;" and keep fighting the good fight ... we're gonna beat this thing! 

     We've weathered the storm (at least for now), and Whitefish is wasting no time getting back to business!

     Scores of local business owners -- and their crews -- were only too happy to leave the Stay At Home order behind last week and start the process of reopening the Whitefish economy.   If you've got things revved-up and want to spread the word, email  [email protected]  and we'll git 'er done!  

Here are a few recent update from your fellow Chamber members ... so what're you waiting for?  Get out there and Shop the Fish!