I must admit it was nerve-racking, pushing ‘send’ on the Fitzhugh’s first ever reader support campaign.
But the knot in my stomach slowly unwound as, even that very evening, donations started to trickle in with heartwarming messages of encouragement and support.
The Fitzhugh is free and will continue to be free. But with COVID-19 closing our local businesses and completely upending the advertising that pays for the newspaper, I had to find a way to keep going and found myself asking if you, the readers, could help.
But would people answer the call? Are those who read the Fitzhugh as passionate about community values and the importance of having a reliable source of news as I am? In a word, yes.
Wow, Jasper. The initial outpouring of support has been overwhelming.
We needed $2,000 to keep printing the Fitzhugh without missing an edition and raised more than $6,000 just over the weekend.
That's amazing news. There are members of our community who don’t have access to the internet and rely on our printed newspaper to stay informed. We want the Fitzhugh to be available to everybody.
Donations have come from long-time locals, new readers and people who have moved away but still keep in touch with the town - and I am so truly thankful to everyone who has generously contributed.
I have personally thanked every single donor so far, to let them know how much it means to us - not just for the money we can use to continue operating, but for the moral support of knowing people believe in what we do enough to pay for something they get for free.
If you would like to support the Fitzhugh, click here.
I’ve been even more touched by the responses I’ve received from those emails. Here are a few examples:
- I feel that during these challenging times the Fitzhugh is more important than ever. I am spreading the word and hoping that your funding goal can be achieved. Good luck, I have enjoyed this publication for many years.
- As frequent visitors to Jasper we would like to see the Fitzhugh stay strong for the community. Hope this helps!
- I hope you get the support you need. The direction you have taken the Fitz is very positive. I very much appreciate your contribution to our community.
- You and the paper are so important right now (and always). I hope you get enough support to continue printing.
It’s clear that the people of Jasper really do believe in local media and our mission, and are showing it with their words and their wallets - and I am taking that support to heart.
Our goal is $35,000 which covers printing and distributing costs for the Fitzhugh for the next six months - giving time for local businesses get back on their feet.
Please join us on this journey toward a new way to support and grow local news in Jasper.
The Fitzhugh is your community newspaper. We keep our town connected and together we can make it through to brighter days.
Fuchsia Dragon
