Benzie County native Cameron Clark told us about Hometown Giving--a web-based business he has developed to support small-town businesses and charities.
 
With a planned start-up date of Labor Day, Hometown Giving will sign up businesses that will pay $75 for a one-year subscription, $25 of which will be directed to the charity of their choice. Non-profit charities will be able to sign up without paying a fee. Then when individuals go to the website, they will have the opportunity to purchase gift certificates from signed-up businesses or to direct money to a listed charity.  Cam has been working on the new enterprise for two years and hopes that it will benefit local businesses, as well as worthy non-profits. (Click on picture for a larger view.)