You pay good money to stream movies. But you don’t watch them every day.
You’ve got an Amazon Prime membership. Even with free shipping, hopefully you don’t shop daily.
Yet odds are high that “06880” is part of your everyday routine.
You enjoy our 5 a.m. lead story; the morning Roundup and evening Pic of the Day; features like Unsung Heroes, Friday Flashback, online art gallery and Photo Challenge, plus breaking news any time.
“06880” is your 24/7/365 hyper-local blog. We haven’t missed a day since we began 16 years ago this month, way back in 2009.
How much do you pay for this service?
From the beginning, “06880” has followed the NPR model. We rely on your support, at whatever level you feel comfortable.
Some readers pay $50, $100 or $365 a year. A few pay more.
Some contribute $10, $20 or $30 a month.
Several “06880” readers donate through personal foundations. Others give matching grants, through their employers.
The vast majority of readers, though, give nothing.
They read “06880” every day. They love it. But, for whatever reason — forgetfulness, not realizing our funding model, the thrill of getting something for nothing — they don’t contribute to Westport’s most popular source of news, events, features, profiles, history, and bad parking jobs.
Reader support allows “06880” to survive and thrive. It pays for internet hosting, computer software and IT help, insurance freelancers — and the salary of the founder and executive editor, yours truly.
I’m 16. Well, my blog is, anyway. (Photo/Pam Einarsen)
“06880” is a labor of love. For 16 years — long enough, if this blog were a Westport kid, to grow up, get to Staples and earn a driver’s licesne — I’ve researched, written, edited, taken and cropped photos, monitored the comments section, and answered your emails.
Along the way, I’ve posted over 18,500 stories.
With “06880”‘s growth, that now takes 8 to 10 hours a day. It’s my full-time job.
I don’t have big meals. But I still have to eat.
I also need clothes, gas, and a roof over my head.
So whether you’re a loyal supporter (thank you so much!), an occasional contributor (ditto!), or one who (ahem) prefers to spend all your money on streaming services and Amazon Prime — thanks for reading this far.
This is our annual fundraising appeal. Now just read a little bit further, to learn how to contribute to your favorite — and several times daily — hyper-local blog.
As a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, we offer tax-deductibility to the extent allowed by law. In addition to individual contributions, we can accept corporate matching funds, and foundation grants.
You can donate by PayPal or credit card: click here. It’s easy, safe — and you don’t even need a PayPal account.
Checks can be mailed to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881.
We’re also on Venmo: @blog06880
You can even scan this QR code:
Whichever method you choose: Thank you!
And tomorrow we go back to our regular programming.
Extraordinary. 16 years. Difficult to imagine 06880 without ‘06880’.
Give.
you perform a valuable service. If we do not support 06880 blog it may go away. Thanks for your good work. Contribute to a good guy
Jo Ann and I have donated 12K$ over the past 16 years for your publicity for our books. Gladly. But I am not sure why you do not take advertisers to boost income? Curious, but how much of the donations go to your 06880 INC. Board and how much to you?
http://www.carladdisonswanson.com
As a member of the 06880 Board, I can assure you that we are not compensated in any way for the work we do with Dan, other than enjoying our monthly Zoom calls and periodic in person meetings.
Then why did you first, form a LLC and then a S corporation? Spinning your wheels for nothing but red tape. No need to be a corporation to gain non-profit status.
We switched over to a 501c3 recently because a number of donors mentioned they could get matching grants from their employers if we were a not-for-profit organization. While we do get a few matching gifts, it has not been the big jump we were hoping for that would allow us to do even more great Westport stuff. While I do not know for certain why 06880 was established as an S corp, as it was before my time, I can only assume it was because Dan footed the bill to run the site personally and as an S corp could take any losses he incurred personally. Probably based on good advice from his accountant.
The 06880 entity was first an LLC and then switched to a S Corporation. Before that, the Professor was merely a sole proprietor. As I hope you know, the non-profit status comes with some IRS mandates e.g. 60% or more has to go charity. From Woog’s tone on the article it implies that he is merely getting paid for his hard work. That is not what a non-profit is all about and having been a Treasury attorney for over a decade, something you do not want to violate. Just being cautious . . .
I do not want to get into a back and forth here, but you may want to check out the 5% rule. Nonetheless, I will make sure this topic is on the agenda for our next meeting. We do have an attorney on our board and work with an accounting firm that does a lot of work with 501c3’s.
https://pfs-llc.net/resource/the-5-rule-explained/#:~:text=As%20a%20general%20rule%2C%20a,federal%20and%20state%20tax%20codes.
I modestly propose that all Westporters, past (like me), present and future, do the right thing and divert their sacrosanct cup of coffee (Starbucks preferably) to 06880. Added bonus: No more double-parking at the drive-through.
I have never streamed a movie, nor have I ever bought anything on- line. I never used Amazon and have no social media. But once in a while, I get out my checkbook, and write a $50 dollar check to Dan and send it. Dan is so kind that he sends me an e-mail thanking me in such a way that you’d think I just bought him a home on Beachside Avenue! Dan is definitely a gem and is one of Westport’s finest! I definitely should give more, however, the idea of getting a business or two to advertise does sound tempting enough that I think Dan should consider it.
Wegmans is coming to the area and they would be the perfect company to advertise! As a matter of fact, I have met Mr. Wegman on a few occasions and we have had small conversations about things we have in common like both born in 1947 and both enjoying Jamaica.
Dan ~ Good morning,
You are absolutely correct, I typically start my morning reading your blog. I’d like to set up a monthly automatic contribution. I didn’t see that option. If you would let me/everyone know how to set up a monthly contribution, that would be appreciated. Apologies if it’s there and I just didn’t see it! Thank you😊
Thanks for asking, Nansie!
It’s on the PayPal option, right underneath the dollar amount: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=P2WYLK4ENHEFW&ssrt=1741006370101
Much appreciated. – Dan
Congrats on your sweet sixteen! Just donated, thanks for being a very important and caring representative for this community!
David Jones SHS 71 and your classmate
Woogie, Ahhhhh 16, we were egging houses, planning trips to Port Chester and bringing our friends along Tom-foolery and Bally-hoo. Folks, please contribute to 06880, it is now a Westport iconic institution.
Sweet!
Yes- I start everyday at “06880DanWoog.com”!
I get to see what’s happening in Westport- that I would otherwise miss!!
Truth to power!! Bad parking! Y’s men! Sports! Art! Staples! Players! WCP shows! New stores! Closings! Good Neighbors and Bad Neighbors!! The Famous and the Infamous!
Where Westport always meets the World!
Thank you Dan!! Happy Sweet Sixteen!
Done. Happy to contribute to a valuable community resource. And a nice guy! Happy Sweet Sixteen!!
Thank you Dan for how hard you work and how happy I am to read your blog every day. Money on its way.
It’s been said before but 06880 is one of our unsung heroes, national treasures, etc. etc. etc.
Happy 16th Dan and I hope you provide us with many, many more.
Thank you Dan for being a part of my everyday. My parents moved to our community this past year and that move became so much easier by being in the know about all things Westport because of 06880. With Gratitude! Melissa
Dan ya make me feel like I’m still living in Westport. And your musical 🎶 selections are brilliant. All the best ‼️🙏🇺🇸
It is so very nice to learn that so many agree on one thing, Woog’s World is our world and Dan makes it great.
Thank you Dan for all that you do for our community! Happy Sweet Sixteen! Donation forthcoming —
As my husband mentioned above, we have been very aggressive supporters of the Dan and his blog for over a decade. That said, I think it is important for every reader to know where their donations are going. 06880 Inc, formerly 06880 LLC, is a recent creation and if donated monies are going to shareholders or the Board members, I think the reader has a right to know.
Dan, Happy Sweet 16! Your 06880 blog is one of my first emails read each morning! Thank you for keeping the community so well informed!