Coronavirus/ COVID-19 is affecting everyone, including the outdoor community. Parks are closed to camping, mountain towns are in lock down, outside people are being encouraged to stay away from regional centres so they don’t put a burden on local health services. Outdoor stores and other small businesses are closing.

It is great that governments are stepping in and providing stimulus packages to support businesses. There is also so much we can do as a community.

Helping the businesses we love

Mountain businesses had a terrible summer because of the fires. Finally, as towns opened up to autumn tourist trade they have been shut down again. The community got behind mountain businesses after the fires, with the #EmptyEsky and other initiatives. It’s time to do it again.

One simple thing you can do is to buy from an outdoor store or other business that has an online store. Some are still open, many have online sales going on. The postal service is still running. So why not get that thing you’ve been hanging out for (even if you can’t use it right now).

Here are a few ideas:

Everest Sports (Bright). ‘All of our key product ranges can be viewed and purchased through our online store.  Delivery services continue to operate although they too may be experiencing some delays’.

Tom’s Outdoors (Tumut). ‘By purchasing from us online during this crisis, you are helping to keep our business viable during this difficult time’.

Their website is here.

Wilderness Sports (Jindabyne). Their online store is here.

Mont is doing a sale at present. Their website is here.

Bogong (Melbourne) is still open – and also doing online sales.

Ray’s Ski Store (Myrtleford) has had to cancel their big Easter Sale. Details here.

Rocky Valley Bikes and Snow Sports (Mt Beauty) is still open with limited hours and is servicing bikes (please ring first), and doing an online cafe. Details here.

 

If you enjoy a beer or wine, why not check your favourite vineyard or brewery and make an online purchase.

Blizzard Brewery in Dinner Plain has an online store and you could always purchase a gift voucher to support them now, and enjoy later on. Their website and online store is here.

Bright Brewery has an online store where you can order their beer.

 

Yes. I’ve missed plenty of businesses. Please feel free to send me others for inclusion here. cam.walker@foe.org.au

 

The industry giving back

Many people are doing what they can. Building community, checking on their neighbours, staying at home to ‘flatten the curve’, supporting the emergency responders and health workers that they know. And on and on.

I reckon we need as many Good News Stories as we can get at present: Gear Junkie has published a great list of (USA-based) companies that are giving back to the community through supporting the Coronavirus efforts:

Brands That Are Donating

Chrome Industries is matching 20% when you make a purchase: you save 20%, it donates 20%. Proceeds go to One Fair Wage Emergency Fund.

Make a purchase, and ClubRide Apparel gives you 15% back and matches 15% in a donation. Proceeds go to The Hunger Coalition.

Maho Shades is matching 20% when you make a purchase — you save 20%, it donates 20%. Use the code UWBC. Proceeds go to a chapter of United Way’s Community Crisis Fund.

Rhone is donating 10% of all proceeds through May 1 to the Direct Relief Fund.

Luminox is donating 10% of all proceeds through April 10 to the Direct Relief Fund.

SAXX is running a special for all frontline workers — 30% off briefs and tees.

Airstream is loaning Nest trailers to cities in need of testing sites as well as making masks to donate to hospitals.

Jayco RV is donating RV trailers to function as testing sites at a local hospital for COVID-19 patients.

KEEN Footwear donated 100,000 pairs of shoes to frontline workers in need.

Cotopaxi is sending proceeds from all #OneUtah shirt purchases to COVID-19 relief efforts in Utah (food banks, healthcare foundations, etc.).

RMU Outdoors is donating the proceeds from #StandApartNotAlone teesto local mountain towns in need.

Brands Making Masks

Chaco is using its mobile repair factory to manufacture masks and gowns for frontline workers.

Lightning Kayaks is making masks exclusively for first responders and hospital workers. It’s also asking for donations to aid in the process.

Melanzana is making masks for first responders and hospitals in Colorado.

Outdoor Research is working to make all types of masks — fabric, surgical, and N95 — in its Seattle factory. The brand hopes to scale production in the factory to upwards of 200,000 masks per day.

Eddie Bauer is manufacturing the much-needed N95 masks for healthcare workers.

Nike is making protective face shields for frontline workers.

SylvanSport is making face masks for medical workers (for sale).

Woodchuck is manufacturing medical-standard PPEs for healthcare workers.

Shaggy Skis is making face shields for healthcare workers.

O’Neills Sportswear is making surgical masks and scrubs for frontline workers.

Kitsbow Cycling Apparel is making PPE masks for first responders and healthcare workers (for sale).

Industry Nine is making face masks and will assist in producing parts for ventilators.

Bauer Hockey is making face shields for healthcare workers and government agencies.

Dippin’ Daisy’s Swimwear is making face masks for healthcare workers free of charge and is also starting a “buy one, give one” campaign with masks for purchase.

And Gear Junkie also remind us:

“It’s important to remember that because of the national shortage of N95 masks and PPEs, you shouldn’t buy and wear a mask to stay safe. They should go to frontline workers — instead, follow the CDC’s 6-foot social distancing rule.”