Apr 9, 2009 5:58 pm US/Eastern
Local Companies Offer Free Services To Unemployed
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
The staff at Dependable Cleaners has noticed this recession has taken some starch out of sales.
Nonetheless, the company has decided to give away business.
"We saw so many friends and relatives that have been laid off, and as they struggled to save and get ready for interviews, there must be something we can do," said Dependable Cleaners President Christa Hagaerty.
They'll
dry clean three suits for free for 2000 unemployed people. Interested parties must show proof of unemployment. They'll receive a voucher that can be used through the end of the year.
It costs about $15 to clean a suit, which means Dependable is committed to giving away about $80,000 of business.
Said Hagaerty, "A question I get is how can we do this at such a challenging time, because we're challenged just as every other business is. I think it's important in tough times that everyone helps one another. Two, in the long run I hope everyone we help today remembers us."
For more information on the program, go to
www.dependablecleaners.com.
There's similar thinking atÂ
Gold's Gym in Westborough, and six others in Massachusetts. (In Arlington, Boston, South boston, Maynard, Medford and Concord.) If you've lost your job, you can work out for free during off-peak hours.
"We want to do our part," said manager Doug Tinker. "People feel good when they exercise. Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and during this tough time they can at least do their part to keep their spirits up especially when going on interviews and trying to apply for jobs."
"If we can do our part, in the long run maybe when those people get back on their feet they'll keep us in mind when they want to continue exercising," Tinker added.
Major automakers -- Ford and GM -- are hoping to move some cars by taking some of the uncertainty out of unemployment.
Scott Lewis of Herb Chambers Ford explained the Ford Advantage program which was unveiled last week.
"Thirty days after buy your car if something was to happen, if you were to lose employment, then Ford will make the payments for you for up to a year, up to $700 a month," Lewis said.
Parties would have to show proof of employment for some period of time before they make the car purchase.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
WBZ's Unemployment Resource Guide
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments