What is a ‘community newspaper?’

(The math in this article has been corrected to reflect that, with the NewsMatch, a donation of $10 a month will mean $240 for The Charlotte News.)

As we consider our year-end giving, it’s not unusual to reflect on the things we value most. If “community” is among those things on your list, I urge you to donate today to your nonprofit newspaper, The Charlotte News, on our secure website.

Serving this community is a vital part of our mission and has been for more than 65 years.

So, what does that look like?

First, this free newspaper informs the people of Charlotte 25 times a year in print — and daily online. Did I mention that it’s free? No subscription needed and no online paywall. It is public service journalism that seeks to inform and to build understanding among neighbors.

We do this in ways large and small. We brought back our popular photo contest this year with the theme of “What Charlotte Means to Me.” It was illuminating.

We also got a great response to our recent, full-scale Charlotte readers survey. Among other things we asked: What are the issues that matter most to you and how are we doing covering them? While an overwhelming majority of folks who responded had positive things to say about the paper (and our recently improved website) we learned a lot about what’s on the minds of our readers. In other words, this is a community newspaper that actually cares about the community and how to best serve Charlotte.

When we marked our 65th birthday this summer, we did so by supporting several town events, including the town party, Music at the Beach and the Grange on the Green. Giving back is baked into our mission.

Perhaps you can pitch in to keep this tradition alive and thriving? We need your support, because with printing costs climbing, it currently costs us roughly $6,000 to produce each “free” issue.

Every donation we receive before the end of the year is being matched, thanks to a challenge grant from NewsMatch, so your dollars go even further. For instance, a $100 donation is now worth $200.

Even better, consider becoming a sustainer with your monthly gift. Thanks to NewsMatch, all monthly gifts are matched 12 times! So, when you give, say, $10 a month, we receive $240. We love the math!

Please support the community newspaper that supports this town.

Mail your check to The Charlotte News, PO Box 251, Charlotte VT 05445, or go to our website charlottenewsvt.org and make your monthly or one-time gift, right now. It’s quick and easy.

Thank you so much! Every donation makes a difference at The Charlotte News.