COVID-19 has hit many businesses hard. Even those that have been able to reopen may be restricted by limited capacity and may have incurred additional expenses in following Covid-19 regulations. The West Olympia Business Association (WOBA) is working to take the edge off during the holiday season by enacting a Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) distribution program, where small businesses are invited to obtain PPE such as hand sanitizer and face masks free of charge. This program is available to all businesses in the area regardless of membership.
WOBA’s mission is “to promote prosperity and a vibrant community by serving as the voice for West Olympia business.” President Wes Weller, who has served on the board since 2008, has continued to push initiatives such as the PPE program to support this mission. Weller stated the following in the WOBA PPE press release. “Membership in WOBA is not required, as safety is a community-wide responsibility. WOBA is proud to play a big part in the safety of our community by organizing this distribution program. We encourage you to learn more about WOBA membership and resources; your membership helps make programs like this possible for our community’s health.” WOBA recognizes this effort will help promote safety throughout the community, which is why it has opened up the program to both members and nonmembers. If you are a local business owner in Thurston County, Weller encourages you to take advantage of the program while supplies last by filling out a request for your free PPE today.
Although the shutdown has been extended until January 4, many businesses will still be open and will need our help more than ever. Many people may be nervous about shopping in person considering the circumstances, but shopping locally is still a feasible and important community effort, especially during these trying times. By providing masks and hand sanitizer to local businesses, WOBA is giving small businesses the tools they need to support the health of the community and keep shoppers safe. Additionally, many businesses are adapting to the new standards by offering online shopping, curbside pick-up, and lower in-person capacity. These are all great options for shoppers to buy locally and support their community without putting themselves at risk. Through these purposeful efforts, community members can feel secure shopping at local businesses because they will know the business community is truly taking their safety seriously.
The PPE program is in partnership with the City of Olympia, the Thurston Economic Development Council, and Thurston Strong. The collaborative effort of these organizations has helped bring goals like this to life in the community. However, none of this would be possible without the WOBA members. WOBA is able to enact programs like this through the dedicated and continuous membership of 37 locally owned and operated businesses, all located in West Olympia. WOBA is truly grateful for the comradery and collaboration that has come from these members and is eager to expand its reach to connect with and support more businesses. If you are a local business in West Olympia, you too can benefit from WOBA’s efforts and help make initiatives like the PPE distribution program possible by joining this exceptional organization. Become a member today by completing the WOBA Membership Application or by purchasing a membership in the WOBA shop.
To learn more about what WOBA does for the community, check out the News & Info shared on the WOBA website. You can also stay up to date on WOBA’s programs, events, and other community efforts by following the WOBA Facebook page. In the end, the best way to help support all that they do for West Olympia businesses is by shopping locally, so be sure to visit businesses on the westside this holiday season!
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