Funds to be used by County Meath Chamber to donate Mí Meath gift cards to Meath Age Friendly
Friday 15th October 2021: Facebook has announced that it will donate €20,000 to County Meath Chamber to support its Mí Meath shop local initiative to boost economic recovery in Meath. In partnership with Meath Age Friendly, the funds will be used by County Meath Chamber to donate Mí Meath shop local cards to 500 older people in Meath this Autumn.
The Mi Meath cards will each be funded to the value of €35 which can be redeemed in store or online with hundreds of participating outlets throughout Meath. In conjunction with Meath Age Friendly Ireland, the Mí Meath cards will be distributed through a selection of local NGOs that specialise in supporting older people.
Mí Meath is a new shop local card exclusively for use in County Meath . The initiative is managed and promoted by County Meath Chamber to support businesses in Meath by encouraging consumers to spend in the county and keep money circulating in the locality. Mí Meath cardholders can top-up their card monthly and continue to benefit from exclusive Mí Meath offers while helping their local community. It’s a win, win!
Paula McCaul, CEO County Meath Chamber observed that this is another fine example of what can be achieved when we all work together. Mí Meath is a team effort and we each have an important role to play. Facebook’s offer of a financial backing was the first step which provided the opportunity for the Chamber to conceive this proposal to Meath Age Friendly – the Mí Meath cards are now loaded and ready to be distributed. Those who receive them must simply remember to spend! The money won’t make it to the retailer until you spend and with so many places to shop throughout the county you can feel good spending knowing you’re supporting our local economy. That’s what the scheme is all about – it keeps Meath moving. So, in the name of Mí Meath – go forth and spend!”
Commenting on the donation Aoife Flynn, Community Development Manager at Facebook said: “At Facebook, we strive to be a good partner in our data centre communities and have been heavily invested in the long-term vitality of Meath and its residents since breaking ground here in 2016. We are proud to partner with Meath Chamber and Age Friendly Ireland, and to see this grant provide support to local businesses and older people in Meath following a significantly challenging period for our local community. This two-fold initiative will acknowledge the sacrifice that the older people in our community made during the pandemic and will also provide a stimulus to the small businesses who are signed up to the Mí Meath scheme.”
Jackie Maguire, CE of Meath County Council welcomes this partnership and collaboration that supports Mí Meath “Meath County Council is delighted to welcome this partnership and collaboration that supports the Mí Meath Card initiative. All businesses have experienced severe difficulties over the period of lockdown, it is crucial that the community has the confidence and motivation to support them. This partnership will support older people who sacrificed so much to stay safe during the pandemic, who in return will be supporting local families, local jobs and the local economy.”
John Farrelly, President of County Meath Chamber praised the team behind Mí Meath and the hundreds of Meath businesses who have already registered to accept Mí Meath cards. They can be spent in Hair Salons, Restaurants, Toy shops, Golf Clubs, Gyms, Travel agents, Food, Drink, Motor Factors, Clothes Shops and much more- all your needs are catered for! It’s free to register with no hidden charges or reducing balance Mí Meath is fully inclusive and open to ALL businesses in Meath. Check out the Where to Spend on mimeath.ie
Facebook’s Data Centre in Clonee has been part of the Meath community since 2016 when they broke ground. Since then, Facebook has invested in County Meath and its residents through a number of initiatives such as the Community Action Grants, support of the Meath Library service, Solstice Arts Centre, Kells Resource Centre and other community resources. Facebook also partnered with Meath Chamber in 2020 to donate €250,000 to fund small and medium businesses across Meath as they adapted to the pandemic.
ENDS
