The Item launches '132, thanks to you' fundraiser to support local journalism

The Sumter Item is 132 years old!

On Thursday, Oct. 15, The Item turned 132, and I can't think of a better group of people to celebrate with than you.

For 132 years, this newspaper has been part of life in Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties: from the Friday night lights, the major council votes, the county, state and national celebrations to and all the highs and lows in between. We've been here because you let us in. Because you kept reading, sharing and telling us what mattered most to you.

We're your eyes, ears and voices in the rooms where it happens. We're your coffee companion, your lunch buddy and your late-night commentary. But, most importantly, we're your neighbor.

We shop where you shop, eat where you eat and cheer from the same bleachers. And we care about getting it right because this is our home, too. That connection is what makes local news essential, and it's what you've helped build for more than a century.

It's all thanks to you.

To celebrate such a milestone, we're launching something special: "132, thanks to you!", our fundraiser to directly support our newsroom.

As an independent, family-owned newsroom, we rely on the support of readers like you to continue delivering reporting that informs, connects and uplifts our community. Your tax-deductible donation to "132, thanks to you!" helps ensure that vital local news remains free from outside influence and accessible to everyone. Like sidewalks, parks and schools, that benefits us all.

It takes people, time and resources to produce local news, and we're all boots on the ground. We care about the quality of reporting we put out because we live here, too. If we get something wrong, we answer you when you see us at the grocery store, in the pickup line and at our favorite restaurants. Advertising and subscriptions alone doesn't cover the costs anymore. In a media landscape that is seeing local news organizations shrink and shutter all over the country, from urban spaces to rural communities, individual philanthropic giving is one of the fastest-growing and most directly impactful ways local news supporters can ensure we continue thriving as a public good.

Our goal is to raise $132,000 by the end of the year to keep Sumter's story in good hands for the next generation. Every gift, big or small, is you supporting local stories that shape Sumter and the people behind it.

We're proud to partner with Report for America as our fiscal sponsor. That means your gift is tax-deductible and that you can choose to give through your IRA, a Donor-Advised-Fund and more. Just reach out with any questions.

And, just know, donors never influence what we cover. Our newsroom keeps full editorial control.

Donations are accepted at www.donate.mazloweb.com/donate/sumter-item. Checks can be made out to Report for America, C/O Sumter Item and mailed to The Sumter Item, 36 W. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150 or dropped off at our office, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thank you for 132 years. Here's to 132 more.

Alaysha Maple covers arts & entertainment, public safety and rural government for Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties. She also writes for The Item's Sumter's Next Generation and Past is Present series. To support Alaysha's work, please make a tax-deductible donation below.