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Show usiness Scentsy helps build economy A6 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2009 Christy Hardman STAFF WRITER Many people have wondered what they can do to help the economy, but one business, Scentsy, a candle company that makes fragrant, wickless candles, has found a way to include communities in helping their own local economies pick up. In July 2009, to commemorate their fifth year anniversary, owner Orville Thompson gave each of his employees $50, and sent them out to spend it at local businesses in Treasure Valley, Idaho. They pumped around $100,000 into their community, and the project was so successful, the company decided to spread it around the nation. The project is called Scentsy Contribute 2009, and it will be held on Oct. 12. Local director and consultant of Scentsy, Tonjelle Halladay of Salem, is rallying the community to respond in kind. She's calling for people to go to www.scentsycontribute.org and pledge to donate $50, and on Oct. 12, to come together and spend it at a local business. Halladay will focus directly on Salem businesses, and one of her team members, Kathleen Beardall, is working lo pull people together in Spanish Fork. For people who live in Mapleton, Teri Phommabouth of Springville is gathering a group together, and the goal is to pump as much money into the local economy as possible. Halladay said she'd love to get the program established so it could be an an- Guardian of Your Community News nual event that would benefit local communities. "I love the concept of giving more than you take," Halladay said. She's contacted the Salem Youth Council, the city and the Chamber of Commerce in an effort to get the word out. She will be sending fliers home with children through the schools, putting fliers up in local businesses and handing out door-to-door fliers. She will be putting sign up lists at Fast Gas and Chevron in Salem, so she can have a contact number for people who are interested. Halladay said the project is a call to "every person to do more, and to challenge their friends to do more. There's nothing like giving back, paying it forward." In a press release, she discussed the tendency of the current generations to be "me" oriented, and the need to break free of that attitude. She said this project will give people an opportunity to do something quantifiable to stimulate their local economy for everyone's benefit. Halladay has 44 people on her team, from Florida to California, and she's working with all of them to bring their communities together for the Contribute 2009 project. According to Hailaday, Utah alone has 4,000 Sentsy consultants, many of whom are stirring their communities to participate in Contribute 2009. The goal nationwide is to get 100,000 people to participate, and locally, Halladay says she hopes she'll have a lot of support. "Read about it. Get excited, and do something to Tonjelle Halladay help our economy recover faster," Halladay said. She also wants people to submit ideas for specific local businesses that would benefit from the project. In Treasure Valley, Idaho, the businesses to benefit from the day were nominated by the Scentsy employees who participated. Halladay is looking for input from the people who have pledged to participate to decide on which businesses they want to focus on. The only stipulation is that it has to be locally owned, not large chain or box stores. Halladay said there will be more information coming as they collect pledges from people. She said after you make your pledge to contact her at 801-6368011 or wicklessbrunette@ gmail.com, and she'll get back with you with the location and time of the rally. For Spanish Fork residents, Kathleen Beardall can be reached at 801-798-1753 or kathleenb@sscn.org. Mapleton residents can call Teri Phommabouth at 801491-8522 or wickless® connect2.com to participate in Contribute 2009. Business of the Month Dana Robinson / The Sentinel BUSINESS HONORED: Randall Harward, owner of Sprinkler World and his store manager, Tyler Bushman are surrounded by supporters for being selected The Spanish Fork/Salem Area Chamber of Commerce October Business of the Month. Among those present were Wayne Andersen and Rod Dart from the Spanish Fork City Council, various Chamber board members and Sprinkler World employees. Real Deal Mattress Dana Robinson / The Sentinel THE REAL DEAL: Real Deal Mattress held their ribbon cutting Thursday, Oct. 1. Manning the scissors, store owner Barry Young is joined by employees, business friends, the Spanish Fork Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Director Char'Ree Reynolds, Chamber board members, and Councilmen Wayne Andersen and Rod Dart. Real Deal Mattress is located in the Sprinkler World building. |