Downtown Franklin merchants are giving back in an effort coordinated by the Downtown Franklin Association. “Open Your Heart” happens this Friday, February 8th to support nearly two dozen charities. The collaborative effort is focused on giving back 15 percent of sales between the hours of 4-9 p.m. tomorrow.
Each business is choosing their favorite charity and the grouping of participants is within a four block walking distance of each other. This is the second event of its kind the DFA group has produced. A similar effort called “Dog Days of Summer” raised over $7,000 in July 2012.
“There are so many incredible reasons behind why our merchants have selected their particular local charities to support,” said DFA Director Nancy Williams. “We’re passionate about raising awareness and money for these causes, and this event does both while bringing people to downtown Franklin.”
Merchants have picked non-profits ranging from animal welfare and healthcare groups to children’s advocacy programs, and many will support a cause that is near and dear to both their customers’ and their own hearts. Puckett’s Boat House is supporting Heritage Foundation of Franklin at this event and for the rest of the year. They will launch the new “Puckett’s Dollar For Your Thoughts” initiative at Friday’s event providing an opportunity to support HFF throughout the year.
“Williamson County has created a culture of giving back, and the Boat House tries to help drive that in whatever ways we can,” General Manager JT Ward said. “[Owner] Andy Marshall thought of a fun way to engage our customers while advancing a non-profit’s mission.”
Beginning Friday each table in the restaurant will have buckets of tape and markers, and encourage customers to pin dollar bills—with their own custom messages—to its low ceiling. At the end of the year, all of the money will be gathered and given to the Heritage Foundation.
Find out more online and see the list of participating merchants and their charities.
