By Steve Teshara, Tahoe Chamber CEO

The 120 or so current employees of the US Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit are among federal workers on furlough without pay as the partial federal government shutdown continues.

These federal employees are members of our community. The Forest Service manages 78% of the lands with the Tahoe Basin so their work is vital to our environmental and economic health. We deeply appreciate the daily commitment they make. The shutdown is no fault of theirs and yet they are without the paychecks they depend on to support their families. They are our neighbors and colleagues. We are proud to stand with them during this challenging time.

On Wednesday, we at Tahoe Chamber made an initial outreach to demonstrate our support for these professionals who serve our community. Two businesses immediately stepped up – Sustainable Community Advocates and Raley’s market at Stateline. Store Manager Shea Carpenter authorized a Raley’s donation in addition to the contribution from Sustainable Community Advocates. Together, we were able to secure a total of twenty-five $50 Raley’s gift cards. Tahoe Chamber has donated these gift cards to a representative of the non-profit Forest Service employee’s association known as WRAM – Wellness, Recreation And Morale.

We encourage other local businesses to join us in solidarity with Forest Service employees. Here are some suggestions as to how you can help:

• Donate food and beverage items to help the Forest Service employees put on a barbecue and snowshoe outing they are organizing during the shutdown.
• Provide additional gift cards good for food or other basic items. A $25 to $50-dollar range is an appropriate limit.
• Host a special discount, promotion or meal option for Federal Workers and their families.

You may have other ideas that fit with what your business may be able to do. To offer a donation to the Forest Service, please contact me directly, and we will help put you in touch with a representative at WRAM as well as help promote your donation to the community. I can be reached at steve@tahoechamber.org or 775-588-1728, extension 301.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.