MARSHALL — It’s been a tough spring for local businesses and organizations — and that makes it more important than ever to support our area community, said Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce president Brad Gruhot said.

Next week, area residents will have a chance to do just that, as part of a special event hosted by the Chamber in partnership with Marshall Radio.

As part of the “Rally Around Marshall” telethon, people can purchase gift cards or gift checks for their favorite area businesses, and pledge to support local nonprofit organizations. The telethon will go live Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

“It’s just a way to raise dollars for our businesses that have struggled for the last two-and-a-half or three months,” Gruhot said. Volunteers will be running phones at the Chamber office in Marshall, and Facebook Live and radio events are planned as well. “We want everyone to get involved.”

Gruhot said the idea of holding a local telethon is one that has proven successful in other southwest Minnesota communities. Recently, a telethon in Redwood Falls raised around $18,000, and a telethon in Worthington raised $180,000, he said.

Rally Around Marshall will be open to support all area businesses and nonprofits, not just Chamber members, Gruhot said. People can make pledges, or buy gift cards or gift checks to help support businesses. The Chamber can mail out the cards or checks, or people can come to the Chamber office to pick them up. Gruhot said a drive-through pickup in the Chamber parking lot is also planned.

You don’t have to wait until Wednesday to participate in the telethon, Gruhot said. People can pre-order gift cards by calling the Chamber office at 507-532-4484, or order online at www.marshall-mn.org.

“We’re excited,” Gruhot said of planning for the telethon. The event has drawn a lot of interest on Facebook already, he said.