Shop local for gifts this holiday season

All best wishes to the Flamborough community for a happy and healthy holiday on behalf of the board, staff, volunteers and clients of Flamborough Connects.

It’s been another roller-coaster year for individuals, businesses, charities and governments. And yet again, this community has stepped up to support each other.

Community charities have continued to do their work because residents have rallied and supported those most in need: Food banks, women’s support services, animal shelters, etc. Community service clubs relaunched many fundraising efforts — in COVID-friendly formats — and residents volunteered and gave.

Many small businesses survived another year of uncertainty because of the advocacy and dedicated and creative programming efforts of organizations like the Waterdown BIA and Flamborough Chamber of Commerce.

With just a few shopping days left before the holidays, there are a ton of great reasons to invest your holiday giving dollars in community. Visit waterdownbia.ca or flamboroughchamber.ca for local business directories and find the perfect gifts.

Why buy local?

Locally owned businesses purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Buying local helps grow the local economy.

The unique character of a community is partially defined by its businesses and that plays a big factor in overall satisfaction with where you live.

Downtown businesses are walkable and that generally means less congestion and pollution.

Small businesses are the largest local employers.

Local businesses are owned by people who live in community and are invested in the community’s welfare and future.

And, local businesses donate more to local charities.

Without the support of business, Flamborough Connects would have struggled through the pandemic. Local businesses donated items for our annual Summertime Online Auction and Flamborough Volunteer Appreciation. Others sponsored seniors as part of our Holiday Gift Program and gave cash donations to support older adults throughout the year.

Many thanks to Philip Hollett Real Estate, Dumfries Mutual Insurance, Waterdown Self-Storage, West Avenue Cider, Copper Kettle Café, Amica Dundas, Terra Greenhouses, Dutchman’s Gold, Shawn and Ed Brewery, MS Electric, F45 Waterdown, Waterdown Physio, Friends of Alexander Place, Eagles Nest HOPE Centre, Village Theatre Waterdown, People First Fundraising and Dairy Queen.

Be well, stay safe and enjoy the holidays!

https://www.thestar.com/local-flamborough/opinion/2021/12/16/shop-local-for-gifts-this-holiday-season.html?itm_source=parsely-api