Hometown Hero Rewards

Hometown Hero Rewards is an innovative way to revitalize local economies. Scott Morris, Maharishi University of Management Master of Arts in Maharishi Vedic Science alumn and Co-Founder of Hometown Hero Rewards, recently completed a pilot test of the program. He’s energized by the project and recalls, “The pilot could have been more successful, but only just barely!  We saw an exciting amount of uptake and enjoyment surrounding the rewards and their connection to community enrichment.”

The main idea of the program is to create beneficial relationships between hero members, social organizations, and local merchants via action oriented “merit” rewards.

Hometown Hero Rewards Purpose (as stated on the website Hometown Hero Rewards Cooperative):

“With the downturn of the US Dollar causing food and energy prices to rise and shortages of Federal support, more communities are finding themselves short of monies to keep their local economies vibrant and their local workforces active. At a time when there’s more than enough to do and a plethora of unmet wants and needs, money is an almost inescapable obstacle to getting things done and realizing the quality of life communities everywhere desire.”

Money & Life – Extended Trailer from StormCloud Media on Vimeo.

How it works:

Individuals volunteer their time to community betterment projects earning “merits” which can be redeemed for rewards from local merchants. During the pilot program, volunteer opportunities sponsored by Hometown Hero Rewards included:

●      Garden planting at Sunnybrook Assisted Living  Center
●      Maharishi University of Management Eco-Fair
●      Waterworks park clean-up
●      Downtown clean-up
●      Fairfield Volunteer Center weatherization training
●      Zero waste effort at All-things Italian Artwalk

Hero Rewards included:

Scott Morris

●      Crepe Escape Café – buy 2 crepes, get one free or free dessert with purchase of a meal
●      Fairfield Rec Center – $1 for a day pass
●      Café Paradiso – buy 1 drink, get the second free or 25% off a ticket to a performance
●      Revelations – buy a 14” pizza for the price of a 9” pizza

Co-founders Scott Morris and Tony Camero are looking towards the future of the program and are in the process of raising $25,000 for development costs for the Hometown Hero Rewards’ parent company, myLocal Cooperative.

Learn more about myLocal Cooperative or suppport their fund-raising initiative by clicking here.

Anna Bruen is a MUM alumnus who graduated with a degree in Sustainable Living. Anna is the resident blogger here at MUM. To learn more about Anna take a look at her introduction post.