“Small local businesses are the heart and soul of a community,” said Rodgers. “In apps and videos, it was heartbreaking to hear about all the obstacles that restaurants and retail outlets face. Many of them are struggling just to stay in the market, but remain hopeful that it will end.”
The fund started in early February with a $ 500,000 donation from Aaron Rodgers, the native of Chico who was three times the Most Valuable Player in the NFL. After seeing the need, Rodgers decided to increase his donation to $ 1 million. It was increased by $ 100,000 from NVCF, an anonymous donation of $ 100,000 and a generous donation from Sherry and Gary Holbrook of Holbrook’s Clearance Center.
“Aaron is an incredible person. He looked at everything, decided he wanted to do more and doubled his original $ 500,000 commitment,” said Benson-Valavanis. “He is a champion for his hometown.”
Rodgers has been a valuable contributor to his hometown for years, but he especially stood out after Camp Fire devastated Butte County in November 2018. He donated $ 1 million to Camp Fire’s recovery through an NVCF fund that ended raising more than $ 3 million as his fan business partners like State Farm embarked. Rodgers was a founding member of the Butte Strong Fund along with NVCF and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. The Butte Strong Fund and other Camp Fire funds provided $ 37 million for relief and recovery. Rodgers was also involved in coronavirus and North Complex Fire relief efforts.
“Whether recovering from a fire or trying to help in a pandemic, the role of philanthropy and a community foundation in any disaster is doing our part to stabilize the community. It does just that,” said Benson-Valavanis. “Butte County needs healthy businesses to preserve the structure of our community and, thankfully, Aaron and our other donors recognize this.”
NVCF has mobilized more than $ 2.2 million in donations for coronavirus relief through various funds.
Restaurants and retail stores with 20 or fewer full-time equivalent employees can apply for help through the Aaron Rodgers Small-Business COVID-19 Fund. Companies from all over the county are represented on the stock exchanges. Under restrictions imposed by the state, restaurants in Butte County still cannot allow indoor dining.
Here are the 80 companies that applied and received a grant:
Nic’s Restaurant, Great Harvest Bread Co., Sin of Cortez, Crush, Papacito’s Cantina, Broadway Heights, Farmers Skillet, Pueblito 2, Happy Day Restaurant, Daycamp Coffee, Cafe Coda, Kalico Kitchen Inc, Grande Burger, Gridley Grill & Crab Shack, Campus Bicycles, Nor Cal Brewing Company, Smokin Mo’s BBQ, Momona, Pita Pit, Big Chico Burger, Sicilian Cafe, Kinders Meat Deli BBQ, Om Foods, La Cocina Economica, Acataco # 1, Park Avenue Pub, Bacio Chico, Bidwell Perk, Kona’s, Aonami Sustainable Sushi, British Bulldog Brewery aka The Allies Pub, Toni’s Cafe, PB&J Boutique, Brock Enterprises, Sounds by Dave, Thai Basil, A&J Party Center, Apollo Music and Arts, 3 Seas, Sipho’s Jamaica Restaurant, Noodle House, Sweet Chico Confections, Wheeler Ranch and Feed, The Bookstore, The Watchman, Kirk’s Jewelry, Naked Lounge, Tender Loving Coffee, ATK Lighting and Electric, Town and Country Liquor and Video, Garibaldi’s Catering, Cal Java Coffee Esplanade, Chico Creek Coffee, My Forno Gold Flake, Meals Sal oon & Cafe, Awards Company, Zot’s Hot Dogs and Deli, Everyday Vietnamese Cuisine, Carla May’s New & Used, Apple Blossom Baby, Helping Hands United Incorporated, Gridley Auto Wholesale, River Town Studio artist at Brushstrokes Gallery, Bakers Birkenstock, Chico Chamangos, The Black Kettle, Bryan’s Bricks, Three BlackBirds Boutique, Gnarly Deli, Finders Keepers Home Consignment, A Beautiful Life Furnishings, Chatterbox Cafe, Green Paradise Deli Cafe on Wheels, Lovely Layers Cakery, Fiesta Taco, Bird Street Sellers, Bea’s Back Porch , Thistle & Stitch, Mama Sattva, Deb’s Scones and Cones
Here are the reaction videos from Rodgers’ Instagram account: