Starting today, the Suffolk News-Herald is accepting donations to support local Suffolk news through a program we call the Tip Jar.

It allows readers to donate one-time or repeating monthly donations starting at small amounts.

We launched the program as a simple, voluntary way of letting readers donate to show appreciation and support for Suffolk’s only dedicated news source.

In an era where many newspapers are raising rates for rack copies, subscriptions and website access, the Suffolk News-Herald newspaper remains free in hundreds of locations as well as online.

Many readers remember when, seven years ago, we converted from a traditional paid paper to free. It was a huge risk for our 145-year-old brand but may have been the best move we ever made, reversing declining readership into great growth that now has us reaching about 30,000 print readers with each edition and over 60,000 digital readers monthly. We extend that even further with active social media presences and 12 glossy magazines per year.

Still, we want to bring you more. As Suffolk grows, we want to produce more Suffolk content, with still better distribution, and continue to expand in digital spaces or wherever readers wish to get local news.

While we intend to continue with free content access, we know there are also appreciative readers who would like to show support with a one-time or small monthly donation. New media platforms like podcasters, bloggers and YouTubers have done a great job building loyal audiences.  After years of experimentation, many have found success with voluntary membership programs, and we are now able to utilize the same ideas.

There are three ways to donate.

First, the new donate page on our website can be used to access our Patreon page, where we hope readers will become members and support us. It is set up for small monthly donation levels. You can cancel at any time.

Next you can use PayPal, also through the link on our donate page. Many people that do online shopping already have a PayPal account, and this is an easy way to submit one-time donations at several levels starting with only $5 with just a couple clicks.

Finally, you can mail or drop off a donation of any amount you wish. Checks and major credit cards are all accepted. Our office is in the heart of Suffolk at 130 S. Saratoga St. Mail is best sent to P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, VA 23439.

It is our mission to continue to bring you the most and best Suffolk news coverage. We know of no other source that is totally dedicated to Suffolk coverage. Every day we feature your schools, taxes, crime, politics and as much good community news as we can.

We hope you will consider a donation of any amount you wish.  But whatever you decide, we will be here to serve you, so please keep reading!

John Carr is publisher of Suffolk Publications LLC. He can be reached at john.carr@suffolknewsherald.com.