I like this quote by Nelson Mandela. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
For me fundraising was impossible, a source of endless angst. To have a hand out for money was way outside of my comfort zone. And now I know why. It’s hard. Asking for people to support your idea, to believe in something as much as you do, takes a lot of persuasion.
Asking people to support community journalism, when the world is full of things that need attention, is a big lift. But over this last month I’ve been overwhelmed by those who have backed this idea that an online home for information, inspiration and interaction can help build community.
When I first started this, I was inspired by this little bucket. At a girls weekend a couple years ago, my friend Nancy came up with an activity. We wrote what was on our bucket list on tongue depressors and put them in our containers. This was the inspiration for our name.
As an avid photographer, I snapped this photo of two young women sitting outside at Bacon Social Club with a phone, sharing their news. This was my imagery for a site that could be a benefit to neighbors in all parts of North Denver. Journalism by walking around.
My friend, Wendy, recognized how important this was to me and she set the intention in stone. She reminded me to follow my dream and painted a little bucket to represent Bucket List Community Café. She picked up on the energy I had for this project and inspiration became art.
Then Colorado Community Media picked up on the enthusiasm and invited us to join 25 other Colorado community newsrooms in pursuit of resources to continue growing. It gave us a boost. And suddenly it seems possible. With your help and generous contributions we are proving that community journalism can be community inspired and community supported.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” And we’re doing it. Together.
