Letter from the Editor: Local news matters, and you told us so

It was just a little over a week ago on a Sunday afternoon when I took a deep breath, looked up to the heavens, and then pushed the button to launch a “Go Fund Me” account to keep the press rolling and the doors open.

As one may expect, of course, I prayed that this community would lift Brandon Valley Media Group up. In a relatively short time, I saw my prayers being answered. As one also may expect, it’s been a whirlwind since that moment in time, and the kindness and gratitude that we’ve received is beyond expectations.

While the monetary donations are surely going to help us make ends meet, here’s what unfolded over the next several days.

Kevin Kjergaard, chief photographer at KELO-TV and someone I’ve gotten to know along the sidelines over the last several decades, was the first to step up and ask to tell our story.

“I’ll be there at 9 tomorrow morning,” he said.

And he was.

Next came a text from Ben & Patty of KKRC Radio. I’ve known both of these radio personalities for a long time. They, too, asked if I would be up for talking with them on their 7:45 a.m. news segment on Monday. 

I humbly said yes. 

And as promised, my cell phone rang, and we talked.

Not long after, Beth Warden of DakotaNews Now reached out, asking for an interview. In a different news media role nearly 10 years ago, Beth interviewed me then just after the first issues of the Journal had rolled off of the press. And so, I had no doubt that she would do this story justice once again.

Here’s what also happened.

Last week, we gained about 15 new subscribers. Over the weekend, another 20 new subscribers signed up.

We have advertisers now reaching out to us inquiring about marketing their business or event with us.

We’ve had countless donations dropped off at our office, sent in the mail and even phoned in.

We’ve received cookies and pies, hugs of support, and those oh-so-important prayers.

Speaking of prayers, one of mine was answered an hour after I launched the “Go Fund Me” page. I received a text from a young man, a recent college graduate, Isaiah Miller, who begins his “journey with the Journal” today as the new advertising sales/marketing director.

And yet, there’s more. In late January, I wrote a story about a new family endeavor, The Degaje Good People Project. The folks behind this are Dan and Kari Elliott, their daughter, Abigail and her husband, Abe Chen. Last week, while catching up on some work at the office, Dan called, reminding me about the purpose of their project – to lift up what is good, true and beautiful in our community. And then, he said, “That’s you. We want to tell your story.”

The process has begun, and once again, I am humbled, but yet excited for the finished product, because this family combined bring unbelievable talents and even bigger hearts to their work.

And yet, there was one more amazing thing that happened.

Awareness. And not just for the Brandon Valley Journal, but for community weeklies just like us, all across South Dakota and beyond. It’s my hope that our story is resulting in new subscribers and advertising dollars.

The response to our ask for help has been overwhelming. And what your actions have shown me is that  tells me and the staff is that local news matters. And not just to those of us working the craft week in and week out. It matters to you, too. 

With much gratitude, thank you.