Cottrell continues to inspire
Published 11:39 pm Wednesday, August 12, 2009
By By Kerry Whipple Bean
Publisher
Despite all attempts to be unassuming, Danny Cottrell continues to put Brewton on the map.
His “one-man stimulus package” has been talked about from coast to coast, and he continues to inspire other businesses to do their part.
Back in February, as well all know, Cottrell distributed $16,000 to employees at Medical Center Pharmacy in Brewton — and all of the cash was in $2 bills. His only request was that the money be spent locally, with a portion given to charity.
Since then, those $2 bills have circulated over and over again in Brewton, at local stores and restaurants and even during two “Spend $20 on the 20th” events sponsored by The Brewton Standard and the Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce.
Now a California commercial painting company has started a Web site devoted to “The People’s Stimulus Package,” and the site is tracking the businesses around the country that are modeling Danny’s idea. The Web site can be found at peoplesstimulus.org.
To date, the Web site has mapped more than 40 companies that are following the $2 distribution idea, and the Web site says more than $108,000 has been pledged so far.
Comments on the Web site have come from employees and employers talking about what the “people’s stimulus package” has meant to them.
Those comments echo the comments Danny made when he first started his $2 bill idea, and the reactions of his employees to the good fortune they were able to share.
We’re still on the map.
Kerry Whipple Bean is publisher of The Brewton Standard. She can be reached at kerry.bean@ brewtonstandard.com.