Today's the day
Hi Reader,
On this day 22 years ago, I was driving around a somber Henrico County in my two-door sports car, the smell of still-wet newsprint nearly choking me.
It was nine days after the Sept. 11 attacks, and I felt a wide range of emotions. The attacks brought sadness, anger, fear and uncertainty for all Americans. But I was doing my best to digest those feelings while also mustering some excitement and pride about the launch of the Henrico Citizen, whose inaugural issue (bound with plastic ties in stacks of 50) filled every crevice of my overwhelmed vehicle.
I had suddenly, and unknowingly, picked what then seemed to be the single worst time to start a new business. But as I drove from point to point around the county to drop off copies of that first edition, I knew there was no going back.
I never expected to own a business, or to start one – and certainly not at the age of 24. But I knew from my own childhood in a Northern Virginia community how important a local publication could be to the vitality of a place – and the role it could play in connecting people to the place they call home.
The Henrico Citizen turns 22 years old today, and I’m proud of the work my staff and I have done to help tell the story of Henrico County during those years. I’d like to think that we’ve helped some of you learn more about this place and develop a more complete connection to it – and to each other.
I’ve always believed that the strongest communities are the ones with active and engaged citizens. (It’s why I gave this publication the name I did.)
But in order for people to become engaged in their community, they first must understand that community – its strengths, weaknesses, challenges and opportunities. I hope through our coverage, we’ve been able to provide a fair, non-partisan perspective on each.
Today, I’m asking for your support to help ensure that our ability to do this important work continues.
If you’ve benefited in some way from our coverage during our 22 years in business, I hope you’ll consider making a financial contribution to the Citizen.
We’ll be most appreciative of donations of any amount, but today when you join our Citizen Collective membership program with a contribution of $150 or more, you’ll receive:
• a $25 gift card to Les Crepes restaurant in Henrico;
• one entry in a drawing for a $135 gift certificate to Tialma Moirai Day Spa in the West End;
• the right to designate a Henrico nonprofit to receive 15 days of free advertising on HenricoCitizen.com;
Thank you, in advance, for your consideration and support!
Yours in community,
Tom Lappas, publisher
P.S. – All week, whenever you make a contribution of any amount to the Citizen, you’ll be entered in a drawing for one of several larger prizes at the end of the week.