Positive picketers Volunteers picket to support local businesses
Shoppers and diners in northwest Lodi saw an unusual picket line on Friday morning. Instead of protesting local businesses, picketers were carrying signs and cheering to support them.
The picketers were members of the Child Abuse Prevention Council’s CASA program, which organized the Superhero Run at Lodi Lake in October.
“This community supporting group asked the Lodi Chamber of Commerce how can they help in their mission to support Lodi businesses,” said Marina Narvarte, the chamber’s membership director.
Pat Patrick, the chamber’s president and CEO, suggested positive picketing as a way to highlight some local businesses and have fun in the process, she said.
The volunteers picketed from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the shopping center on Turner Road where Lower Sacramento Road becomes Woodhaven Lane.
Signs supported Yume, Woodlake Cleaners, Meritage Apartments, Wine & Roses, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Drysdale Properties, Thai Spices and Central Valley Physical Therapy. Signs had slogans like, “Every dish is OISHI” — meaning “delicious” — for Yume, or, “A great place to call home” for Meritage.
Narvarte and the volunteers were hoping not just to spotlight the chamber’s member businesses, but also to raise awareness about the CASA program.
CASA — the Court Appointed Special Advocates of San Joaquin — is made up entirely of volunteers who work to make sure children in the county’s foster program get the support they need and don’t fall through the system’s cracks.
The chamber hopes the fun will continue in the future.
“Watch out for future chamber picketing, Narvarte said. “It’s good for your business.”