Press
release:
LIVING
LOCAL: A Community Coupon Book for Central Oregon
was conceived as a fundraiser project for local non-profit
The Waldorf School of Bend that would concurrently help
support our school and give back to the community at
large—both its businesses and its citizens. This
ideal is perfectly in line with the school’s mission
statement: “The Waldorf School of Bend, inspired
by Rudolf Steiner, joins in community to educate, nurture,
and celebrate the journey towards each one’s highest
potential. We do this in harmony with the earth for
the good of all.”
Its
purpose is to build an economically stable and socially
sustainable community in Central Oregon, creating a
prosperous local community of businesses and consumers.
Whether
they want to EAT, LIVE, PLAY, SHOP, or WORK, participants
in LIVING LOCAL will enjoy 150 money-saving
coupon offers from local contributing merchants. Area
residents and visitors alike can save substantial amounts
of money while being encouraged to explore and enjoy
new venues.
LIVING LOCAL offers residents a financial incentive
to shop locally. With the LIVING LOCAL Book
($20, tax deductible, www.livinglocalbook.org, 541-330-8841),
participants can easily pay for its cost by taking advantage
of just a few of the savings offers in the book. During
our current economic crisis, the savings contained within
LIVING LOCAL are valuable for many families
desiring to make their discretionary income go further.
Just as importantly, LIVING LOCAL supports
our local economy by keeping dollars here in Central
Oregon. An Austin, TX economic impact analysis showed
that if a consumer spends $100 at a chain store, only
$13 (of that $100) will stay in the local economy. If
they choose a local merchant, $45 (of that $100) stays
local! More than three times the amount!
2000
copies of LIVING LOCAL were printed Spring 2009, with
a distribution premiere at the Waldorf School of Bend’s
May Fair Festival, May 2, 2009. Books will be available
for purchase ($20, tax deductible) from many local outlets;
check www.livinglocalbook.org for all locations including
Camalli Book Company, VisitBend, and Tower Theatre Box
Office. Participating businesses were charged NO FEES
to participate in this project so that more local businesses
could participate in this community-building project.
Also, current LL Book vendors are not receiving any
book profits. Thus, all of the project's proceeds come
directly from book sales and support the local non-profit
school and support the community!
The
LIVING LOCAL Book website also provides background
information on the project and links to other buy-local
campaigns, including Downtown Bend and "Yes We
Are Shopping Locally".
For
this first edition, coupons will not expire until November
2010 so that participants may use and enjoy its offers
for a full 1½ years. Printed locally on FSC paper.
Future editions in coming years are expected to surpass
5000 copies. We plan to publish annually in Fall after
2010 as a perpetual income source for the school and
community at large.
Claire
Spampinato, Editor, is available for interviews.Contact
her @ 919-225-9972 or 541-330-8841
Future
Goals
For
this first edition, coupons will not expire until November
2010 so that participants may use and enjoy its offers
for a full 1½ years. Future editions in coming
years are expected to surpass 5000 copies. We plan to
publish annually in Fall after 2010 as a perpetual income
source for the school and community at large and to
expand the LL Book to include neighboring communities
such as Sisters, Redmond, Sunriver, and beyond!
Contact
us for more information: livinglocalbook@gmail.com
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