View this article online: https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2001/12/12/15654.htm
One month ago, San Mateo, California small businessman, Emmett “Mac” MacCorkle, gave his employees $5,000 to spend at local businesses and charities. Designed to stimulate spending at the local level in response to the Sept. 11 tragedy, MacCorkle’s personal economic recovery program has resulted in the injection of more than $15,000 into area businesses and charities.
MacCorkle employs 25 people at MacCorkle Insurance Services in San Mateo. At a company meeting on Nov. 7, MacCorkle gave each employee $200 in cash to be spent in the local community within 30 days. Employees were told to spend the money at local businesses or donate it to a local charity. Charitable donations would be matched by the agency.
Employees donated $1,600 to local charities, which was matched by another $1,275 by the agency. Many selected the Samaritan House in San Mateo, which was robbed of 1,000 pounds of food the week before Thanksgiving. The agency responded with several turkeys and $1,500. Other local charities selected include The USMC Toys for Tots program, San Mateo family Service Agency, Second Harvest Food Bank and the San Mateo Fire Department Thermal Imaging Project.
Motivated by MacCorkle to support local merchants, employees spent approximately $12,400 — this includes $3,400 from the original stimulus package plus another $9,000 out of their own pockets. Purchases included dining room suites, watches, new suits, manicures, and a host of Christmas and holiday shopping.