Other communities can emulate the success of Marion United

It's no secret that the COVID-19 crisis is wreaking havoc on the small town economies that are the heart of southern Illinois communities. Some businesses, deemed nonessential, have closed outright. Others remain open but most of those are doing a fraction of their normal business.

As the number of coronavirus cases rises here, people are increasingly afraid to leave their homes.

Staying home is a solid practice that everyone should emulate. It's the best way to stay healthy and to keep the coronavirus in check.

But what of local businesses? There is a very real fear - from small town America to big cities like Chicago - that the pandemic will hit small, independent businesses the hardest - and that in the end the chain stores will have survived but the shops that make a town unique will be gone.

Throughout history, Americans have stepped up during times of crisis. Many of our present-day clubs and organizations were born of need, among them the Salvation Army, Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Samaritan's Purse and Convoy of Hope.

Now we can add Marion United to that list.

Marion United is the brainchild of two Marion entrepreneurs whose own business, Crown Brew Coffee, isn't even open yet. Josh Benitone and Jared Gravatt organized a virtual telethon, held on Friday, and enlisted the help of the city of Marion and local businesses still operating.

The idea was simple - raise money from local citizens to provide grants to the small mom and pop business owners forced to close or radically alter their business practices by the virus.

Josh and Jared set a lofty goal of $100,000, then blew that out of the water by pulling in $190,000.

Already the following morning, applications for small businesses were available online at www.marion-united.com.

The federal government and state of Illinois are pouring billions of dollars into helping small businesses through the COVID crisis. And while small business owners are snapping up the grants and loans being offered to save themselves from ruin, there is still something indescribably wonderful about knowing your own community has your back.

Marion Mayor Mike Absher cited Marion United as a sort of beacon.

"Leadership is about showing people what to do," he said. "My hope is that with Marion United, our community can be an example and put out a template so other communities can do something like this for their businesses."

We couldn't agree more. People are itching to do something to help their communities in this time of crisis and Josh and Jared have given us one template for success. No doubt there are others.

It's what pulling together looks like.