In a thriving democracy, community media’s existence would be joyful stories and transparency about incidentals in an imperfect union. Today, we need to be here for advocacy on a grand scale and the immediate needs of neighbors.
Four decades ago, at Yale’s International Day, a 25 year old homeless man, Samuel, hovered near the League of Woman Voters of New Haven ‘All American’ Hot Dog booth. The ‘$1 a dog’ fundraiser was in its fifth year. Several members were professors’ wives. Samuel asked many questions: Why do you think it is important to represent America at an international cultural event? Are your hot dogs made in America? Is voting at risk? Who are you trying to reach?
It was clear he had once done more than sleep in Sterling Library before his circumstances changed. As the day came to a close, some of the wives began calling out to people they knew, “Would you like a free hot dog?” A few accepted their offer before I scooped up the last three and officially met Samuel (not Sam).
His story would continue but on this first encounter he taught me the value of extending opportunities to those we are trying to reach. Sam gave me the quarter and nickel he had in his pocket and said “I believe in democracy. I am registered to vote. I am concerned about America in the world. My name is Samuel. Thanks for letting me contribute to (insert smirk) ‘the change you want to see in the world’
Contribute. Indeed he did. (Excerpt Community Media Maven)
For the last 10 weeks, as a WPAA-TV volunteer, I have gathered stories, recorded and designed promotions, and facilitated collaboration for #greatgive06492. All above and beyond managing the day-to-day of a 24 / 7 tech nonprofit providing free resources to whomever walks through the door, reimagining our existence post cable TV, and contributing substantive testimony in Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) dockets.
#greatgive06492 is the coming together of seventeen Wallingford-based 501 (c) 3 nonprofits in a fundraising collaboration. The goal is to raise $300,000 with a combination of 1) substantive support from friends, 2) grassroots support (as little as $5) from folks that have had needs met along the way, and 3) foundation sponsor matching. It is a local extension of #TheGreatGive hosted by the The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.
Four years ago, I poised this question to nonprofit peers: We support each other in other ways, so why not come together when it is time to raise money and concurrently raise awareness? About a dozen agreed. This year will be a real test of connections to each other, friends & family and those we work to help.
Our ‘connection’ to those we exist to serve remains one-way. This is the first year we fully embraced ‘as little as $5’ in the campaign. The intention is to provide someone receiving free daycare, shopping at a food bank, unemployed, students, etc. an opportunity to express gratitude and hope by contributing to the solution at hand. It is also a way for friends of friends to comfortably give because the person that is committed asked.
Was Samuel right? Do the people we endeavor to engage with want to be part of the solution?