Too often it takes a crisis to remind us of all the good people in our community, and all the important work that they do. We’ve all been inspired by the dedication of our doctors, nurses and first responders in recent weeks, and by the spirit of generosity, decency and kindness that tends to rise to the top at moments like this.
In recent days, we’ve been helping our clients with the two most important communications priorities at a moment like this. First - keep going! Let your audiences know that your engine is running and you’re still around – telling your story on social media, communicating via e-mail newsletter, and other virtual platforms.
Second, use the downtime to prepare and invest in the future. Consider updates to your website, perfect your SEO, build an e-mail database, get more proficient – and consistent – on social media, plan ahead. Be ready when people are ready to leave the house again.
In short, this moment in history is best viewed as an opportunity to prepare to succeed once the storm has passed and the new, post-virus world is here.
Churchill, who seemingly had a quote for everything and
provided inspired leadership during
times even more challenging than these, perhaps put it best – “When going through hell, it’s best to keep going.”
For now, we’ll keep working with our clients to be ready to succeed when we all get to the other side together.
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New Harbor Group has been safely working remotely for almost five weeks, managing crisis communications, telling stories about the important work our clients are doing, and developing plans for the future. In this case, what they are doing to lend a hand during these historic times. Here are just a few examples of that work
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R.I. Superior Court Extends a Small Business Lifeline
New Harbor Group is proud to volunteer with the Rhode Island Superior Court to create options to ease the financial strain on small businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak. The COVID-19 Non-Liquidating Receivership Program creates a process through which businesses can gain protection from creditors, remain open, access new capital, (like disaster assistance) and pay debts.
“Since its inception nearly 20 years ago, the Superior Court Business Calendar has expedited litigation to preserve economic investment and jobs in our state,” said Associate Justice Brian P. Stern. “Rhode Island businesses deserve the opportunity to stabilize their operations and generate revenues again.”
Providence Journal
Providence Business Journal
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Grey Sail New Puts Distillery on Hold to Make Hand Sanitizer for Frontline Workers
Grey Sail Brewery is doing its part to stop the spread of COVID-19 by using its new distilling facility to produce hand sanitizer. Co-owner, Jennifer Brinton (right with her family), planned to open South County Distillers in March, but when the outbreak hit Rhode Island, she and her team jumped into action to fill the need for hand sanitizer in their community.
“We are all adapting to support each other during these difficult times; Grey Sail is doing the same,” Brinton told WPRI. “Hand sanitizer is disappearing off of shelves and almost impossible to order yet healthcare workers and those in our service industries still have to work. We want them to stay safe.”
WPRI
The Westerly Sun
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Worcester Together Raises Over $4.3 Million for
COVID-19 Response
The Greater Worcester Community Foundation is jumping into action to lead their community’s COVID-19 Response effort. Under the shared banner of the Worcester Together: Central Mass COVID-19 Fund, the Foundation and the United Way of Central Massachusetts have launched an unprecedented fundraising effort to support the needs of local organizations.
GWCF has seen an outpouring of support from the community, raising over $4.3 million for Worcester Together in the first month. Early and large gifts from donors have created a snowball effect as their generosity inspires other members of Worcester’s philanthropic community to make similar contributions.
The fund is acting quickly to distribute funds, too. So far, Worcester Together has completed multiple funding cycles, granting over $616,000 to 51 nonprofits.
“We want to thank all who have stepped up to meet the challenge in the last few days,” said Barbara Fields, President and CEO of GWCF. “But our work is far from over. COVID-19 creates both immediate and long-term needs in our community, and we will need to raise significantly more resources to support those in need.”
Millbury Sutton Chronicle
Worcester Business Journal
Talk of the Commonwealth
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Scouts Donate Blood to Address Shortages Caused By COVID-19
Scouts at the Yawgoog Scout Reservation are starting their annual blood donation efforts early this year to help meet the “constant need” for donations during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Reservation Director Thomas Sisson has been running Yawgoog’s annual blood drive with the Rhode Island Blood Bank since 2014. When the outbreak hit Rhode Island, he sprang into action to organize a special COVID-19 drive.
Running until May 15, the drive will be booking appointments in advance
o
nline.
The reservation system will allow the six participating blood centers to control the number of people entering their facilities and keep the supply of blood stable.
Daniel Friel, Program and Communications Director of the Narragansett Council and Assistant Reservation Director at Yawgoog says that the drive provides a practical and safe way for Scouts to fulfill their oath, "To help other people at all times" - and earn a commemorative patch along the way.
Westerly Sun
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Quonset’s Director, Steven King, Plays Key Role in R.I. COVID-19 Response
Quonset Development Corporation is playing a leading role in Rhode Island’s efforts to procure personal protective equipment (PPE) for the state’s health care workers. The statewide effort is being led by QDC Managing Director, Steven King (right), who was called into action by Gov. Raimondo several weeks ago to head Rhode Island’s PPE supply chain effort.
“A few weeks ago I tapped Steve King to run our supply chain for PPE. Steve runs Quonset – he does a fantastic job,” the Governor said at a recent press conference. “He put together a team and all they do all day is purchase for us masks, gloves, gowns, face shields, goggles.“
Since starting
from scratch
, Steve and his team have established a PPE supply chain, with millions of N95 masks and surgical masks now on the way to Rhode Island, along with hundreds of thousands of gloves and gowns.
Quonset Business Park itself is also playing a strategic role in the response effort. An available 117,000 square foot building at the park has been converted into a field hospital with hundreds of beds to help handle an expected surge in COVID-19 cases.
Boston Globe
The Independent
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