TULSA, Okla. — Twenty small businesses affected by the nation's pandemic could possibly see some relief soon.
Small business owner Bo Wright has created a fundraiser he's calling '20 For 20'. Accepting small donations and highlighting 20 different businesses in 20 days.
2 Works for You spoke to one business owner who says she's grateful to be a part of this.
"It's like coming together is what this is all about," Mary Beth Babcock said. "It's just opened my heart and eyes to even more love and passion that I have. What we have built, all together, all the small businesses is what makes us up and makes us all unique, it makes the cities unique. So if one fails, we all fail."
Mary Beth Babcock has been a business owner for over ten years.
She most recently opened Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66 two years ago.
It's a souvenir shop that people from across the country come to see.
"Retail is already a tough business the way it is," Babcock said. "With this happening, its definitely a scare, and a worry."
She is one in 20 small business owners in Tulsa that took a hit because of the coronavirus, and maybe now she won't have to close her doors.
"I was nominated by Ida Red and Livy Lu, two other local businesses, so that alone made me cry," Babcock said. "I got tears when I got this message like who is this Bo guy."
Thanks to Bo Wright and a fundraiser, he's calling 20 for 20, Babcock and several others may be able to keep their lights on for now.
"When I reached out to Bo, I just felt like I was in tears," Babcock said. "Because it is a major struggle not being able to open. That being my only form of income, we've had to push online order."
Wright says he got the idea from sports owners and players donating money to hourly employees.
Now he's hoping the small business community will pull through, arm in arm.
"People like me who rely on going out and hustling, working every day," Wright said. "That can't be replaced. I was like well what can we do to rally together."
His goal is to raise 100,000 dollars.
"20 Dollars for 20 businesses in 20 days," Wright said.
With the gofundme donations, he's hoping more people will give; any dollar amount will count.
"Maybe that helps people keep the lights on or keep a few people on payroll, pay their mortgage or whatever it is," Wright said.
If he meets his goal, all 20 businesses receive five thousand dollars each.
He tells me small business owners like Mary Beth are the backbone of America.
And he plans to rally so they all can take care of each other during this epidemic.
After the 20 days is up, whatever money is raised will be dispersed evenly amongst the twenty Oklahoma businesses nominated.
If you would like to help, click here to donate.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
