Webathon Update: Another Matching Grant

Through the genorsity of NCR reader and supporter John W. Weiser, we have another matching grant: Beginning at 9:30 a.m. central time, John will match dollar-for-dollar your contributions up to $500. Act fast to double your money .

This is day 5 of our 7 day webathon. To date we have raised $42,000, which puts us ahead of where we were last year, but not yet where we want to be. We are very thankful for everyone who has donated so far this year. I don’t want to discount the generosity of so many hundreds of contributors. But I also have to keep asking we are less than halfway to our goal for this year. So if you haven’t given yet, please give now.

No donation is too small. And if you act now, during this matching grant, your $5, $10 or $20 donate doubles. Rest assured that every dollar you contribute will be used to bring you the reporting, analysis and commentary that you expect from NCR.

We know you value NCR. That is why you visit our website. We had 6 million visitors last year as a matter of fact. We’re asking you to put a dollar amount on the value of NCR. Send us $5, $10, $25, $50.

Thank you all so much for your generosity. Thank you for this vote of confidence and support for the vital mission that NCR carries out day in and day. That support infuses our news room with the energy we need to keep going.

Yesterday -- and this happens nearly every day -- I took a phone call from a reader. He was looking for an article from a past issue, which I helped him find online, and he took the time to thank me for the work of NCR. "Tell everyone there thank you for the work you do," he said. "NCR really is my lifeline to sanity in the church. You have helped me keep my faith."

If you have ever felt that way about something you have read on NCR, please take the time to donate to the webathon today.

NCR built its reputation on solid, old fashion journalism, asking the questions of that ordinary folks want answered. But NCR is also a source of spirituality and inspiration.

NCR publisher Tom Fox told me yesterday, "Remind our readers that we are not building an NCR monument here. We are trying to put together the required money to continue to maintain and build this website in the months ahead. "

I've been working in the NCR Kansas City offices -- the world headquarters we call them -- since 2003. Over these nine years, I have come to realize something rather profound: NCR is not the news operation here. It is not just our writers and reporters. NCR belongs to all of us. It belongs to all of you who come here day after day, searching for information and community. Giving to this webathon -- no matter how small the donation, even a few dollars, is your visible affirmation you are part of the NCR community.

Like that video clip at the bottom of this page says, "We are NCR. You are NCR."

You will feel better all day long if you join in and give something. Giving, you will keep our spirits lifted as well. The NCR staff works hard and sometimes it is easy to feel alone. We know you care. Please show us now. Take the step. Donating to this webathon you show you want to build a loving, caring, justice-seeking community and church.

It gives us no pleasure to report about the bishop of Madison, Wis., threatening to withhold the sacraments from Catholics in Platteville, Wis. But we believe that story has to be told. We find no joy in reporting about the ongoing struggles between church officialdom and our dear women religious. But we believe those stories have to be told.

Despite the darkness that those individual stories represent, we believe the reporting of them adds to the light. Calling the impersonal powerful to justice is NCR's contribution to building a loving, caring community and church.

Let light and love prevail. Never, ever, let us give up on our common mission of living out the Gospels, of being merciful and caring people. We need each other now more than ever. You know exactly what I mean when I say we need each other now more than ever.

Today, right now, you can do more than help us make our goal this week. You can assure us – assure yourselves – that a community of Christian believers, holding to the Catholic faith, living out the affirmations of the Second Vatican Council, is alive and well and growing in our times.

Please give today.