Perhaps you’ve heard of the 3/50 Project, which began in 2009. Its goal has been to promote shopping at locally owned, independent businesses, because a larger portion of dollars spent stay within the community, whereby strengthening the community.

The 3/50 Project concept asks consumers to think of three locally-owned independent businesses that they would miss if the businesses were to close, then asks those consumers to dedicate $50 of their current monthly spending income with those businesses. The consumer has the option to pick three different businesses each month, but the idea is for them to make it a practice to allocate some of their shopping dollars locally.

The concept is exciting because, if just half the employed U.S. population dedicated $50 of their current monthly spending to locally owned independent businesses, more than $42.6 billion of revenue would be generated annually. And further statistics suggests that for every $100 spent in independently-owned brick and mortar businesses, more than $68 returns to the community through taxes and other expenditures. The same $100 spent with a national chain within the county retains only $34 and nothing stays or is returned to the community if it is bought online or in another county.

Small businesses are defined as fewer than 500 employees and are the lifeblood of the American economy, accounting for more than 95 percent of all employer firms. There are almost 28 million small businesses in the US and approximately 75 percent are self-employed with no employees, which are called non-employer businesses. Over 50 percent of the working population (120 million) works in a small business. But small business is not first in consumer’s minds; either because of the convenience of one stop shopping or the perceived savings of shopping in recognizable national retail chain stores.

Awareness is always necessary to create change and the 3/50 Project, created by Cinda Baxter, is speaking out on behalf of independent retailers. The 3/50 Project uses the tag line “Save your local economy … three stores at a time. In conclusion there is one particular statistic that reaches out to the consumer—the number of people it takes to start the trend is 1 (you).

Upcoming events:

Saturday, Versailles vs. Russia boys’ basketball with a 50/50 raffle held to benefit the Veterans Dinner fund.

Sunday, the Versailles Eagles Auxiliary will again hold its breakfast buffet.

Feb. 5, the Versailles Music Boosters hosts their first annual Prom and Homecoming dress exchange from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. For more information, contact Kelley McGlinch.

Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m., the Darke County Right to Life holds its monthly meeting at 105 W. Third Street, Greenville. You may also visit them online at www.darkecountyrighttolife.org.

Birthday wishes to Haylee Potter, Ruthann Carity, Jennifer (Fourman) Bradburn, Cristy Rhoades, Scott Armstrong, Madison Simons, Jazlyn Lewis, Melanie Oliver, Kent James, Harold Langston, Jr., Kent Treon, Bruce Hawkey, Michelle Feltz, Angie Lyme, Levi Schultz, Kelly McEldowney, Betty Kremer, Caroline Nihla Turner, Isaac Ruhenkamp, Gary Davidson, Brenda Pohl, Elaine Bergman, Holly Gower, George Treon, Chelsea Cannon, Ann Eiting, Lisa Magoto, Mary Jo Puthoff, Alyssa Minter, Jackie Kremer, Heather Zechar, Randi Smith, Karen Raterman, Betty Poeppelman, Brenda Hole, Brittany Staugler, Chantel Ganger, and Joyce Lyman. Happy anniversary wishes to Karyl and Jeff Woolery (14), Shirley and Allen Francis (33), Mary and John Rahm (39) and Nancy and Tom Subler (55).

Thanks to two special Small Business Saturday shoppers; Arlene Lutmer and Rick Voisard, who inspired this topic….better late than never.

Please give your supportive and healing prayers for the many who are dealing with any of life’s countless challenges, and especially for Laura Paulus, Jim Jones, Betty Kremer, Vickie Cottrell, Katelyn Platfoot, Fr. Ned Brown, Kay Holfinger, Betty Kremer, Lester Bernholt (hip replacement), Joann Bensman, Marge Harman, Connie Stachler, Betty Pothast, Sally Tebbe, Julie Keihl, Dan Roseberry, Tony Gehret, Denny Grilliot, Uncle John Magoto, Lois Magoto, Sheila Spahr, Madonna McEldowney, Beverly Brown, Paul Marchal, Linda Kendinger, Mike Hileman, Ralph Gehret, Dave Fullenkamp, Steve Youngker, Tabitha Sager, Joan DeMange, Amy Poeppelman, Julie Keihl, Joan Magoto, Jeanne Brandon, Ruth Haft, Rosie Pearson, Virginia Smith, John Subler, Sally Monnin, Sondra Spangler, Mary Barga, Wilma Didier, Anabelle Subler, Jeanette Simons, Julia Billenstein, Merilyn Borchers, Lewis Didier, Alan Stammen, Lewis May, Connie (Baltes) Lechleiter, Levadia Barga, Jack Borgerding, Dan Monnin, Linda Wilson, Lois Youngker, Barb Goubeaux, David Zumberger, Brian Voisard, Cyril Frantz, Michelle Ullom, Eileen Rahm, Cyril Voisard, Barb Agne, Samantha Smith, and all those not mentioned by name who are ill, suffering, hospitalized, home-bound and/or in need of our prayers and their caregivers.

Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Eddie Dean Manning, III (23) and Sam Yagle (84) also remembering the lives of Jennifer Platfoot, Delores Brown, Dorothy Mangen, Earl and Dorothy Mumaw, Pete Mangen, Martha Rindler, Marilyn (Shappie) Parin, Nihla Davis, Gretchen Delzeith, and Joan Overman, Janice Schellhase, Ron Subler, Ruth (Subler) Monnin, Mary Ellen Livingston, Agnes Knapke, Josh Eilerman, Jeremy Mescher, Bill Cromwell, Aaron Condon, Bec Berger, Marge McGreevy, Jesse Camacho, Eleanor Hartzell, Gaynell Armstrong, Ken Gariety, and Pat Bensman and all who are in our hearts but not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their passing nears.

“Buying local is twice as efficient in terms of keeping the local economy alive” ~Time

“Love where you live, shop local” ~Unknown

“Behind the success of every small business is its community.” ~C. Edwards