Friday Gratitude Digest

Strong Towns has a unique, powerful and timely message that needs to be heard in every city, every neighborhood and every home in America. Please help us this week by giving to the max! We need your support -- $5, $10, $15....no amount is too small. Please help us to take the next step in sharing this important message.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION TO SUPPORT STRONG TOWNS

We started off this week by announcing our fundraising goals. We then took Tuesday to look back at some of the things we accomplished this year. On Wednesday, we invited you to share your thoughts on Strong Towns and what this movement has meant to you. Yesterday we previewed what we have planned for 2013 and beyond.

Today we're just going to stop and say thank you. We're a long ways from meeting our fundraising goal, but we're very grateful and humbled by those that have made a financial contribution. In the weeks after the expensive election season, inundated by requests from other, worthy non-profits, we are amazed at how many of you joined us this year. I've got the entire Strong Towns team assembling here this evening for our second weekend retreat in two months. I'm going to be very proud to share the results of this week with them.

If you would like to make a donation, we're still offering autographed books for a monthly commitment (even as low as $5 per month). 

So I want to close out this week with two things. First, I want to provide an opportunity to all of you that are not able to support us financially -- and we understand your situation -- to help us in other ways. If you would like to help us out but don't have the means to make a donation, please consider doing the following:

  • Go to our post from this past Wednesday and leave us a short testimonial. These personal stories have a HUGE impact for us when we approach institutions with our message.
  • Sign up for our newsletter. We don't spam you, don't make continuous requests for money and don't share your address. We use our newsletter to keep in touch with people, to get the most important information out to everyone and to let you know when we'll be in your area with a Curbside Chat or other event.

The second thing I want to do today is to call out some of our special friends. You all have done so much -- I'm blown away by the individual generosity of so many. Thank you!

  • Waco M. of Dallas -- Thank you. I travel to Texas at least once a year and would love to meet on my next trip.
  • Robert G. of Illinois -- Your contribution means a lot to me. Thank you.
  • Hannah W. of Raleigh -- Thank you -- so kind. We should keep in touch as I'm hoping to come to Raleigh in 2013. Working actively on making that happen.
  • John R. of Denver -- I really appreciate your contribution. Love Denver. Can't wait to go back there. Lots of great stuff happening there.
  • Jason W. from Wisconsin -- Thank you, neighbor. We need to get the Strong Towns message spread throughout Wisconsin. Have car, will travel. Need a stump and a couch.
  • James R. from Florida -- Not sure if we have met on one of the four trips I made to Florida this year, but we should. I'll be back, for sure. Thank you for supporting us.
  • Joshua D. of Grand Rapids, Michigan -- Two speaking trips to Michigan this year. So much to be inspired with there. Good luck to you and thank you for your support.
  • Catherine M. from Bismarck -- You warm my heart, Cat. I still remember your comment from over two years ago -- it was my early days and you validated my work in a way that inspired me to push on. Hope to make it back your way and, as always, thank you for your kindness.
  • David P. from Arizona -- Thank you for the donation. You'll be heartened to know we have a lot of Arizona readers. Would love to come out there and share this message.
  • Michael C. from North Carolina -- Thank you for your generosity. I'm sending you two books. Keep in touch - heading your way in 2013, date TBA.
  • Matthew S. from Minnesota -- You are too kind. You can text me on Facebook anytime, don't ever feel like you are bothering me.
  • Erica Z. of Northfield, MN -- Wow. My favorite city in Minnesota. You had an odd election but, in a way, it looks like it might free Strong Towns up to do even more there. Hope to see you soon. Thank you.
  • Matthew P. -- I believe I just friended you on Facebook. If not, please get a hold of me. I always love to meet people passionate about Strong Towns here in MN. You have been most generous -- thank you so much.
  • Ron B. from Pennsylvania -- We are coming your way -- totally confirmed -- the second week of January. Let's keep in touch. I'd love to meet. Thank you.
  • Mark J. of McGregor, MN -- You have helped me out more than you know. I really appreciate your donation and I really, really appreciate the kind letter you wrote for us. Thank you so much. If I can come back there and help you, please let me know.
  • Betsey B. of Northfield -- What can I say? Wow! You are amazing. I got your email and have not gotten back to you (busy) but we are going to talk. We need you.
  • John B. of Portland -- Wow! Thanks so much. Got two books coming your way. I really need to make it out there this year. One of the few places in the USA I've never been (shame).
  • Darla L. of Florida -- It was no nice to meet you. Thank you for introducing yourself. Thank you for the kind and generous donation. Your book is in the mail!
  • Peter F. of Massachusetts -- Did we meet when I was out there last month? Thank you for the support. Most kind. Sending you a book too.
  • Aaron N. and Joanne N. -- Your generosity humbles us all. I'm blown away -- that was completely unexpected. Thank you.
  • Alex P. of Maryland -- Thank you for the kind letter along with the donation. It is people like you that make us passionate about what we do.

And finally, this post would not be complete without one last playing of our fundraising theme song. Everyone get up and dance this time. Thank you, everyone, and keep doing all that you can to help your towns to keep on getting stronger.

Charles Marohn