I started Ring with the mission to help make neighbourhoods safer and better places for all of us to live. The team and I have always been driven by the belief that neighbourhoods are safer when communities come together to support one another, especially through challenging times.
In an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, necessary social distancing and stay at home measures have changed our daily routines, preventing us from supporting our neighbourhood businesses and service providers.
I have always said Ring is not just a doorbell or home security company. It is a company built around a mission that serves the community, which is why today I am proud to launch the latest and possibly most important effort in our company's history.
The Neighbor Pledge allows you to pledge your support, as an individual or as part of a group, to the neighbourhood businesses or service providers in your community that you rely on. For example, if you normally visit a neighbourhood cafe every morning and buy a coffee, with the pledge you would give them the equivalent cost for a month until they reopen.
We hope by creating a place where those who have the ability to help can show their commitment to their neighbourhood businesses and service providers, that together we start a global movement. When communities come together, incredible things can happen.
Here’s how Neighbor Pledge works:
1. Make a Pledge: Pledge support, as an individual or as part of a group, to a specific number of neighbourhood businesses or service providers in your community that you rely on.
2. Share Your Pledge: Get the word out to family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours so they can pledge support as well. There is power in numbers, and when communities come together, the results are even stronger.
3. Act on Your Pledge: While we don’t process donations, we ask that when you make a pledge, you take steps to ensure the chosen neighbourhood business or service receives your commitment. Neighbourhood businesses come in all shapes and sizes: from food establishments, to retail stores, local hairdressers, gyms, dog walkers, cleaners, babysitters, and more. If you tend to frequent them regularly and are not now, chances are, they need help.
Here are some ways to fulfil your promise:
Tip 1: Call or email your favourite neighbourhood businesses to see how they would prefer to receive donations. Some neighbourhood businesses or service providers may be able to receive payments through digital payments like PayPal, while others may prefer cash or cheques.
Tip 2: Visit the websites of your favourite neighbourhood businesses - many are offering discounts or telling their customers how they can assist. Some may be offering services remotely or shipping merchandise to their customers.
Tip 3: Buy a gift card or pay in advance for services that may be used in the future. If you use a service provider who won’t be needed or can’t provide that service right now — a dog walker, house cleaner, child care provider, a gardening service — consider paying them regardless or in advance.
Tip 4: If your favourite restaurant is still offering takeaway or delivery, make a point to order from them and tip generously on food orders or deliveries.
Even if the businesses you reach out to don’t accept your pledge, your commitment to your community and willingness to step up is what the Neighbor Pledge is truly about.
Visit ring.com/pledge for more information - thank you for doing your part and for being a good neighbour.