OK, I’ll admit there may be some people who will roll their eyes a bit at that headline.

I know there are citizens out there who tried to participate in the online store once it went live, but got blanked. My lovely wife and I had $300 in our cart, and when the dust settled, we ended up purchasing $60 worth of gift cards.

I have even heard of two wonderful community members who had $500 each in their cart and both ended up with $0. 

Any negativity about the program should end there. My momma and daddy hammered into my head the words to that old Rolling Stones tune – “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”

But here’s the greatest takeaway from this program – this is an unbelievable COMMUNITY. Not everybody was able to get what they wanted because the program was a smashing success. We, the people, overwhelmed the website once it went live, and gobbled up all the available funds. 

In the dreaded year of the pandemic, it’s hard to name more than a handful of businesses that have not been impacted. The Brookings Register is one that has, and I have been transparent in that from the start, and we don’t say it for sympathy or pity. It is what it is.

But we are a benefactor of this program. YOU all purchased 46 Register gift cards, which means I have a check for about $1,800 waiting for me to pick up at the Chamber today. What a shot in the arm for us. THANK YOU!

A quick snapshot of the program – the Chamber team developed a fund intended for businesses and individuals who weren’t feeling as heavy COVID-related impacts could donate to.

With the help of 137 businesses, families and individuals, the Chamber was able to put a whopping total of $260,000 into local businesses.

I went out and about on Small Business Saturday and store hopped and found the traffic downtown particularly impressive. A parking spot on Main Avenue was really hard to come by when I stopped. I also saw everybody wearing a mask, which puts a big smile on my face – you’ll have to trust me since my mouth was covered.

Bottom line is this program was a tremendous success. It is not surprising to me one bit. That’s what WE do. That’s what Brookings does. We come together and support COMMUNITY. 

The fact that the funding was gone so quickly is not a negative in any way. In fact, to me, it shows the love that all of you have for this place and the loyalty so many of you feel to the businesses that are the heart of soul of Brookings. 

A special thanks to the team at the Chamber for their tireless work in implementing this program, and to the generous souls who donated to this program.

Keep spreading the love, people. Be kind, be safe, support local businesses and maintain hope that better days are ahead. Together, we can weather any storm.

Billy McMacken is the publisher of The Brookings Register, a position he has held since April 2000. Find him on Twitter @billymcmacken or email him at bmcmacken@brookingsregister.com with story ideas, general feedback or just to say hello. Christmas presents can be dropped off directly at 312 Fifth St.