Mt. Airy CDC (Community Development Corp.) last week announced the awarding of $27,000 in grants to 24 local businesses through the Go Mt. Airy Covid-19 Business Relief Fund. This fourth round of funding, the largest of the four rounds, brings the total raised since the fund launched last March to over $80,000. And all of it came through community donations, both big and small.

“It’s incredible how the Mt. Airy community has shown up, time and again, to support local businesses affected by the pandemic,” said Brad Copeland, Mt. Airy CDC’s Executive Director.

The $27,000 of this round came through 77 donations ranging from $5 to $600, plus donations of $7,000 and $10,000 from generous anonymous neighbors. Of the 24 businesses, 12 of them are minority business enterprises (MBEs). (In the previous three rounds awarded to 82 businesses, 74% of those were MBEs.)

Unsurprisingly, business owners have shown nothing but gratitude to the neighbors who’ve provided support through this challenging time.

Shani Newton, owner of Dolly’s Boutique & Consignment, spelled out her gratitude: “Mt. Airy has always stepped up to help its community. I was born and raised in this neighborhood and have always been a proud resident,” she said. “I am more than appreciative of the support.”

Adina Silberstein, owner of Queenie’s Pets and a fellow Mt. Airy native, agrees with Shani. “We thank deeply the members in our community who have donated to this fund, who have canceled their subscriptions with the ‘big online’ pet food sellers and switched to us, and who continue in any way great or small to ensure that we remain vibrant contributors to the fabric of the Mt. Airy community.”

David Biedlingmaier, owner of The Shop on The Ave, echoed these sentiments. “When Covid-19 hit, I was terrified — first and foremost for the health of my family but also for the health of my business. Mt. Airy CDC has stepped up in a major way by helping my struggling business during these times of uncertainty. I’m so grateful to be associated with such an amazing neighborhood with such an incredible support system.”

Since the first grants were awarded last spring, they’ve been used to pay wages and rent, to make adjustments in the protocol of everyday business, and to purchase necessary supplies.

“We will use this grant to help us with our continued focus on operating costs related to the purchase of cleaning supplies, equipment and PPE,” said John Polk, Managing Director of the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. “Our staff, clients and community have been extraordinary throughout this pandemic, and in return, we want to do everything we can to make their experience at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts joyful and safe.”

George Drakopoulos, owner of Malelani Cafe, 6734 Germantown Ave., summed up these sentiments succinctly: “Thank you guys so much, and thanks to the community.”

The full list of Go Mt. Airy Covid-19 Business Relief Fund round 4 recipients is as follows:

Action Karate Mt. Airy, Community Acupuncture of Mt. Airy (CAMA), Concept Factory, Design With Artisan, Diverse Body Sculpturing Inc., Dolly’s Boutique & Consignment, Fergie’s Instructional Training FIT LLC, Girasole Hair Salon, Hope Institute of Science, I Spy, You Buy - Philly's Thrift, John Barone Photography, Kadillac Tattoo, Little Magic Moments Academy, Malelani Cafe, Mt. Airy Learning Tree, Nickens Agency, Outlaw Arts LLC, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, Queenie's Pets, Relax Therapy Spa, Sacred Paradise Spa, The Shop on the Ave., Trattoria Moma and Victoria’s Tutoring Service LLC.

To donate to the Go Mt. Airy Covid-19 Business Relief Fund, visit www.mtairycdc.org/covidrelief2 Founded in 1980, Mt. Airy Community Development Corporation has a mission to preserve, empower, and enrich a vibrant and diverse Mt. Airy through small business support, housing counseling services, community programs for schools and seniors, and public events. For more information, visit mtairycdc.org.