To assist those local restaurants and eateries affected most by the recent two-week “freeze” due to COVID-19 spread, the Cities of Coos Bay and North Bend, along with the Southwestern Oregon Workforce Investment Board (SOWIB), the Wild Rivers Coast Alliance (WRCA), the Travel Southern Oregon Coast (TSOC), and the Coos Bay-North Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) have banded together for Operation Holiday Gift Card.

“These organizations have pooled funds to purchase gift cards in the total amount of $300 per restaurant participating, which will provide an influx of funds now when restaurants need it most,” said Coos Bay Mayor Joe Benetti. “Between Coos Bay, North Bend, and Charleston, we have more than 90 small locally-owned restaurants, and they all need our help this holiday season.”

“We are very excited to have the support of such fine organizations to help our small businesses,” said North Bend Mayor Jessica Engelke. “We know that when these gift cards are redeemed, folks will purchase more than the face value, so our restaurants will get another boost then.”

The gift cards will be sold for half the face value during a one-day Gift Card Sales Blitz on December 18, 2020, at the Coos Bay Visitor Information Center beginning at 9:00 am. All gift cards are valued at $20.00 and will be sold for $10 each. Limit ONE gift card per restaurant per person. Limit 10 total gift cards.

“We want to remind everyone that there is a limit to the number of people who can be inside the Coos Bay Visitor Center at a time,” said Janice Langlinais, Executive Director of the VCB. “We will be monitoring this at the entrance door on the Northside of the Visitor Center. We also want to remind everyone to social distance while waiting to get into the center and once inside.”

The VCB encourages those who can bring cash as these transactions will go much quicker.

Donations will also be welcome. A Donation Box will be set up for those wishing to purchase gift cards and donate the cards for local needs. Donated cards will be provided to local organizations to assist their clients. Cash donations will also be accepted.