note from our ceo during covid-19

04-23-202 mins read

Gunner Pack, I hope this email finds you safe and healthy and enjoying some extra quality time with your family […]

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Gunner Pack,

I hope this email finds you safe and healthy and enjoying some extra quality time with your family – dogs included.  I joined the Gunner team as CEO in February and while it’s been a crazy first few months, I can honestly tell you I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.  I’m a native Nashvillian who moved back last year after 17 years away, so that my kids (Kate: 8, Parker, 4, and Elle: 2) could grow up closer to family.  Little did we know how important that decision would be given what’s taken place over the last two months. 

Gunner is a family-owned business and we’re a close-knit crew. The COVID-19 pandemic has not been easy for us and we know it hasn’t been easy for you. And while we don’t necessarily expect it to be easy any time soon, we do know we’re in it together. We’re also committed to continuing to provide you with the best products and service we can, even in these challenging times.

The support for Gunner during this time has blown us away and inspires us daily to give you our best, so thank you! We know we can never fully repay you for that but we do want to do something to show a little appreciation in return.  For those of you who are ready to purchase Gunner, here are few options that can make that easier on your wallet. 

1. Spread the word: You can get $20 when you refer a friend’s first purchase to Gunner, in our newly launched Pack Loyalty Program. Learn more.
2. And don’t forget you can pay at your own pace. We also partnered with Splitit and Affirm to help make our products more accessible. Learn how. 

I’ve also included a couple ways you can further plug into the Gunner Pack. We believe these are the times of greatest need and it is our responsibility to give back. Here’s what we’re doing in response, as a team, to the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Through August*, Give $1 to No Kid Hungry at checkout, and we will match that $1 dollar donation to the organization. Learn how.
  Between my family and the Edmonds’ family (Emily and Addison are the Gunner co-founders), we have 7 kids ages 8 and under, so one area that has weighed heavy on our hearts recently is child hunger. With this campaign, we can work together in helping No Kid Hungry’s mission to ensure kids across our country don’t go hungry during this time. Please check out the No Kid Hungry website here to learn more about the great work they are doing and how you can get more involved in your local community.
  
  Plus: to give your kids something to do while at home – and help open a conversation about No Kid Hungry’s work – we’ve created a Kids’ Coloring Sheet that you can download here.
  
• Nominate a front-line worker: We are asking our pack to shout out healthcare workers, first responders and anyone on the “frontlines” during the COVID-19 battle on a weekly post on our social platforms.⁠
  Each week we choose one of these Heroes to gift a Gunner kennel, and share the stories of the previous week’s winner. Nominate someone on Facebook or Instagram.⁠ (closes in May)

*in August, we’ll be supporting Ducks Unlimited through this Match Campaign

Here’s what we’re reminding our Gunner family of, that I’ll leave with you too: stay safe, find reasons to be thankful for what you have, help someone in need, and spend as much time as you can with those four-legged best friends. Because they deserve it. 

Thanks, 

Joe Graves, Gunner CEO