“06880” Turns 17. Thank You, Readers!

This week, “06880” turns 17 years old.

Whether you remember that first post or discovered us yesterday, we hope 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 and much more, throughout the day.

“06880” is your 24/7/365 hyper-local, full-service blog. We haven’t missed a day since we began, way back in 2009.

Here’s an important question: 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. (Click here to skip the rest of this appeal, and contribute directly.)

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.

“06880” is a labor of love. For 17 years I’ve researched, written, edited, taken and cropped photos, monitored the comments section, and answered your emails.

Along the way I’ve posted over 20,200 stories. I’ve publicized your organizations and fundraisers; helped you through blizzards and hurricanes; written about you and your kids; made you smile, cry, think and act.

With “06880”‘s growth, this is now my full-time, 8- to 10-hour-a-day, 7 days a week job.

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 elsewhere — 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.