Local businesses and institutions are doing what they can to stay afloat during COVID-19 — and recent weeks have seen some of them coming up with creative ways to turn a profit while offering activities for local residents.

At the same time, other major events have been canceled, so now would be a great time for county residents who can afford to do so to show support for organizations that make Butler County unique.

Harmony and Zelienople’s historical societies are planning an event known as the Hunt for History Scavenger Hunt. Participants will get a booklet that leads them to five historical sites in Harmony and five in Zelienople. Attendees will have to explore the locations to find answers to questions in the booklet.

The historical societies have partnered with local businesses to include discounts in the booklet, a grand prize is being offered to the scavenger hunt’s winner and each booklet will include additional sites to see in Harmony and Zelienople.

This is an inventive way for residents to learn more about these two communities, all the while supporting local businesses and pointing participants to other great places to visit in these communities.

But while some institutions are thinking outside of the box during COVID-19, others have had no other option than to postpone or cancel major events.

The Butler County Farm Show — held each August — was canceled this year, and this week it was announced the Butler-Freeport Community Trail Association had to forego the 15th annual Buffalo Creek Half Marathon planned for October.

The marathon is the association’s largest annual fundraiser, and the group’s president said it would take all year to make up that funding loss. Money from the event pays for portable toilets along the trail, gas and maintenance on equipment used on the trail and other repairs.

The cancellation even extends beyond funding for the trail as the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department typically gets donations from the event. In other words, canceling big events such as the farm show and marathon have ripple effects across the community.

Local residents with the means to help can do so by supporting such events as the scavenger hunt or, in the case of institutions that cancel major events, by reaching out to them to learn how to give donations. They’ll appreciate the assistance, and you’ll benefit by keeping great institutions and businesses in your community.

— NCD