'Marion United' organizers look to open conversation for self-employed citizens

MARION - As the planning continues at a furious pace for Friday's livestream event, Marion United, organizers Joshua Benitone and Jared Gravatt have found that the event has sparked even more than the original intention of raising funds to help locally-owned business survive the economic effects of the pandemic.

"It's amazing to find the number of people in our community that are 1099 people, self-employed," said Benitone, citing "business" people with no brick and mortar storefront.

He cited artists, like photographers and musicians who became instantly unemployed with the shelter in place directive.

"There are full-time touring musicians who literally lost their income overnight," said Benitone.

Benitone said they hope to use Marion United to "start a conversation on how many people are self-employed."

Much of that interaction is expected to begin online during the April 3 event that will be streamed live on the Marion Cultural and Civic Center Facebook page from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Benitone hopes the conversation will give people an appreciation of how their neighbors work.

"It's about understanding," he said, "understanding and appreciating the people in our community."