Dana and Chris Matheny aren't trying to get you to spend more money. But if you do, they have a suggestion or two that could benefit Chesterfield County school children.
"Economic recovery starts at home," said Dana, who with her husband, Chris, run Shop Chesterfield First.
Their program is all about hyper localized retail. They have a website that promotes Chesterfield businesses, and they regularly run programs geared at getting more Chesterfieldians to shop in the county.
Since launching their program, they've been combining that push to get consumers to keep their money closer to home with a desire to see schools get more money for the little things that slip through the cracks.
"People go to PTAs all the time with fundraising ideas," said Chris. "But they don't need more ways for kids to sell things."
Instead, the Matheny's have found local businesses willing to offer discounts to shoppers, who can direct the savings to the county PTA of their choice.
"It's a win-win for businesses," said Chris. "For one thing, usually when businesses offer discounts just to get people in the door, it's lost money. The way this is structured, it's a donation. And they get access to more people."
While chains such as Target and Martin's Food Markets have programs that allow customers to designate schools to benefit from their purchases, the Shop Chesterfield First extends that capability to virtually any local business.
Roger Reavis, who owns Gee Bee's Sporting Goods, which is on Hull Street Road near Genito Road, said he didn't have to think long or hard about participating.
"I've been doing it since January," he said. "Anything we can do, we're glad to."
In his case, the anything is a 10 percent discount.
Other promotions in the program range from discounts on pizza, Mexican food and even cars. That'd be the Chesterfield Federal Credit Union, which is offering $200 off a specific purchase.
Potential customers go to the website — www.shopchesterfieldfirst.com – and pick their school. Then they can print out vouchers for their discounts.
In less than a year, the twice-monthly program — the discounts run for three days starting the first and third Tuesdays of every month — has generated more than $3,200 in cash for Chesterfield PTAs.
L.C. Bird High School is the big winner so far, with a third of the total going there. But 20 other schools have benefited.
And tonight, at Chesterfield Towne Center, the Matheny's program is hosting a teacher appreciation night for all teachers, public and private, from Chesterfield and neighboring localities. There will be discounts, special services and other niceties directed to educators.
"What teachers do is so important, we had to find a way to help them," Chris said.
Lest you think the Mathenys are Chesterfield first all the time, they're quick to point out that their idea can be seen in action across the country.
"If everyone shops local, the whole economy gets better," Dana said.
"We're not asking people to spend more money," Chris said. "We're just asking them to do it locally."
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