While businesses are among some of the hardest hit during the pandemic, many are doing what they can to give back to the community.
The Victoria Rapid Relief Fund started with a $1 million goal and quickly surpassed that. Now the fund has almost reached $5 million, with more than $50,000 in donations being matched by Thrifty Foods to help support various organizations throughout the region.
Rasool Rayani, owner of Heart Pharmacy, says the immense support from businesses and individuals within the community is the B次元官网网址渟ilver liningB次元官网网址� of the pandemic. Rayani describes how the pharmacy saw a surge in business as the pandemic hit and people stocked up on items but has since seen a steady slow as more people practice social distancing.
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For every transaction, up to $50,000, Heart Pharmacy gave $1 to the Rapid Relief Fund. B次元官网网址淲e recognized as an essential service we could still be in operation, and this seemed like a great way to support the community,B次元官网网址� says Rayani.
Rajiv Gandhi, a partner at Cox Taylor Barristers Solicitors, says that while a number of employees werenB次元官网网址檛 directly compromised, many of them have relatives who have compromising factors meaning at least two-thirds of the staff are now working from home.
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B次元官网网址淪o weB次元官网网址檙e suffering from that end, at the same time businesses around Victoria have closed B次元官网网址� and [when they close] they donB次元官网网址檛 come to us for help. If they donB次元官网网址檛 come to us for help we canB次元官网网址檛 generate revenue,B次元官网网址� says Gandhi.
Cox Taylor Barristers Solicitors made a donation of $10,000 to the Rapid Relief Fund.
B次元官网网址淔rom our perspective, everyone in town is reeling from the physical, emotional and social impact of the virus and we know there are people who are in worse shape than us. B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 not a large contribution but at the end of the day this is our home too,B次元官网网址� he says.
Sandra Richardson, CEO of the Victoria Foundation, calls the generosity of businesses in Victoria B次元官网网址渙verwhelming,B次元官网网址� adding that donors are looking for a meaningful way to support the community.
B次元官网网址淢any have also said to me how they want to be able to look back on this time and know that they played a part in helping our community weather this storm. Although I have always felt we have some of the most incredible business people in this region, I have to say that IB次元官网网址檓 so impressed with the way businesses have stepped up,B次元官网网址� she says.
To make a donation to the Rapid Relief Fund visit .
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