#NeighborhoodHeroes: Palm Springs Supports Small Business is looking for volunteers

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, many small businesses are in need of help. A recent group called Palm Springs Supports Small Business has been formed to match volunteers with small businesses. Palm Springs Supports Small Business said they are dedicated to reaching out a helping hand to the Palm Springs small business community, especially now, during the Coronavirus crisis. They stated, "Our community is filled with many highly qualified business experts with organizational and operational skills who are committed to sharing their expertise, free of charge, in order to help the Palm Springs small business community flourish."

Here are some areas where they are looking for volunteers who are willing to help local small businesses:

• Applying for financial assistance
• HR
• Marketing
• Social media marketing
• Website development
• Operations/plans for how to go about reopening
• Business coaching
• Other areas where small businesses may need help

Jay Zaltzman, one of the organizers of Palm Springs Supports Small Businesses, said, "Basically in Palm Springs we have a lot of people with a lot of business experience. Organizational experience, various things that they have in many cases previous careers that they can help with small businesses here that really need help right now."

They want to match up volunteers with certain skills with small businesses that could use a helping hand. Zaltzman said, "It seems like some of the top things small business owners are looking for help with right now are helping apply for various financial support programs. Help with HR, things like how do you deal with layoffs and furloughs, what’s the correct way to do it, what’s the way that also benefits the employee the most as far as the support that they can get." They are also looking for people with experience in marketing, social media, website design, and business coaching.

Zaltzman emphasized, "We’re just trying to move as fast as possible because we know that the small businesses need help now."

To volunteer, visit the Palm Springs Supports Small Business website and fill out the questionnaire. It will ask for your name, areas of expertise, relevant information about yourself so small businesses can learn a little about you, your contact information, and any questions you might have. Then you hit submit. This information will then be presented on another website where small business owners can search, by category, for the kind of help they might need. The website to search for local experts is HERE. They are hoping to spread the word about getting volunteers. Zaltzman said they have ten already!

They are also planning on holding Zoom presentations that people can watch for free in real-time, where people can also ask questions. The Zoom presentations will be recorded and put up on the website for people to watch later on. The first Zoom presentation is scheduled for this Friday, May 8, at 3 p.m.  Paul Hodapp, an HR expert, will provide information for small businesses grappling with layoffs and furloughs during the current crisis. To register for the Zoom presentation happening Friday, CLICK HERE. The presentation is free but space is limited so if you want to attend you must register.

For volunteers to sign up visit this WEBSITE.
For business owners to find volunteers visit this WEBSITE.

News Channel 3's Taban Sharifi will have more details with organizers of the group at 6 p.m.

Celebrating #NeighborhoodHeroes

While the coronavirus crisis is keeping us apart, we know the Coachella Valley community is still coming together to help each other. We are looking for those who are lending a hand during this uncertain time. Do you know of any everyday people who are going out of their way to help others? Have you seen someone find creative solutions to the new challenges we all face?

News Channel 3 wants to celebrate these neighborhood heroes. Tell us about them here. Enter HERE or email SHARE@kesq.com. If you see good happening on social media, share it with us, and tag it #neighborhoodheroes for us to see.

We are all in this together. Help us showcase the good that's happening right here in the Coachella Valley.

Kaiser recommends that those in the Coachella Valley who are elderly and have underlying health conditions, including individuals who are HIV positive, limit non-essential travel and avoid large public gatherings.

Health officials said anyone who thinks they might be experiencing symptoms of the virus and want to be seen at Eisenhower Health should call the hospital hotline first at 760-837-8988. Avoid the spread of this illness.
Residents with further questions can call 2-1-1 and 800–CDC –INFO (800 – 232 – 4636) with any questions.

Public health recommendations for all Riverside County residents during community spread:

Practice social distancing, which is remaining out of places where people meet or gather and avoid using public transportation, if possible.
Do not attend work, school or events when sick. Stay home.
Cough into your elbow or tissue.
Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer often.
Stay away from anyone who is sick.