Bradenton is a generous place. Thank you for sharing some of that spirit with the Herald | Opinion
The Bradenton Herald has the best readers.
Maybe it’s us or maybe it’s just where we live, a place that fosters a people possessed with a hearty and generous spirit able to fight off the effects of the nastiest virus.
Let me explain.
On Wednesday, in response to my column about how the Herald needed to raise $25,000, and fast to maintain our COVID-19 coverage the mail man delivered about 40 checks totaling almost $4,000. Add almost $1,200 that came in Thursday and Friday and the almost $8,800 donated online and in a little more than two weeks, we are more than halfway to our goal.
Raising money like PBS or the Girl Scouts wasn’t part of the original job description when I became president and editor of the paper — and it’s definitely not something that I was too comfortable trying for all the ethical and other reasons you might think
But these extraordinary times require all of us, when we can, to stretch our definition of what is possible, especially when the stakes are so high. Just consider how the local community stepped up during the Giving Tuesday challenge, raising some $18 million for area nonprofit organizations, and many other good deeds on behalf of our neighbors these past two months.
Before we started our campaign to support our COVID-19 reporting, we acquired from the Manatee Community Foundation a $50,000 grant that for the next four months will keep our COVID coverage in front of our paywall and underwrite one of our reporters.
It’s amazing what can happen when in a place like Bradenton and Manatee County, you ask for a little help.
Herald readers make my day
As gratifying as receiving the money was, the notes of encouragement and support that accompanied some of the checks from readers may be what I remember most about about foray into fund-raising.
In my prior column I implored readers to invest in THEIR newspaper with a contribution of whatever they could afford. It’s clear they paid attention and in the process, left me speechless.
The note that touch me the most was this one from a Bradenton woman who recently lost her son and her husband of 70 years.
“Shortly thereafter the pandemic hit and I find myself living along for the first time in my life. Most days the only reason for getting up in the morning is knowing the Bradenton Herald, neatly wrapped in cellophane, will be waiting for my in my driveway in Village Green.”
Many readers see us as an old friend in need of a little help.
“In 1973 I moved to Bradenton from Cincinnati and three months pregnant with our first child. I knew no one here. The Bradenton Herald opened up my new life here in Bradenton!! Since then, my morning ‘ritual’ is to get the paper delivery, eat my breakfast and drink my coffee. I’m rooting for ‘my’ paper to survive, and all of you!!
Some don’t always agree with our coverage, but we are important to them.
“I don’t want you to fold so here’s my offering. I don’t agree with your politics but enjoy your paper.”
Other donors see a larger cause at stake.
“I feel compelled to contribute to the Bradenton Herald to help keep the free press alive. We cannot continue to be a free people if we only have news a government wants us to have. We are in grave danger.”
And finally one reader who sent $400 indicated they wanted to provide us with a little stimulus to keep going.
“Sharing my $1,200 check from Mr. Trump.”
Whatever your reason for helping us out, thank you!
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How to donate
You can donate to our Coronavirus Reporting Fund online at givebutter.com/bradentonherald.
You can also send us a check. Make it out to the Local Media Foundation and in the memo field, write “Bradenton Herald.” Send it to Bradenton Herald Give Butter, 1111 Third Ave. W., #100 Bradenton 34205.
All of the money raised will support our reporting here in Bradenton. All contributions are tax deductible.
Marc R. Masferrer is president and editor of the Bradenton Herald and Bradenton.com. You can email him at mmasferrer@bradenton.com.
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 11:35 AM.