Dear Vintonians,

Today the Karrs and the Closes had another meeting. 

We sat and we talked. 

We took a few minutes to look at the numbers from the donations that came in, our jaws dropped, we smiled hugely, got out our list and were able to check off everything we wanted and needed to do, and for the first time in 2 years, Vinton Today was able to stand on its own.

Now, beside the Closes getting to pay their bills, Karrs/Monkeytown won't have to donate their time, talent and know how as well as pick up the tab for bills that Vinton Today has had to keep us here...

I am THRILLED...like we used to say, THRILLED TO THE MAX!

THANK YOU!!!!

I am once again reminded that we live in a community that believes in putting their heart and soul into something they believe in. 

Our goal has always been to be here and to help out anyone we can via this website. 

I remember the overwhelming response we had when our dear elderly veteran and his wife lost their house, we put the story up, mentioned that if anyone wanted to help, you could, your response then was to send in hundreds of dollars to help them.

During the storm, we felt helpless to do an awful lot, but we reported, and were able to keep the lines of communication open in the community, and keep everyone updated on what was happening.

Last summer, we had word of a family struggling to pay medical bills, so we hopped on our facebook page and sent our readers there to help out at their garage sale. 

The community we live in, I think is a rare bird. You are always there whether it's an elderly couple you've never met, a family with a child in need, or a silly group of 4 launching a website thinking they can do something that's never been done before, you all are just as goofy as we are, I say that with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes.

On our day off this week, it started to sink in. Dean probably has met most of you, but I wouldn't know most of you if I saw you on the street, and you probably know me only as "Dean's wife" but you all opened your hearts and wallets and did what I thought was remarkable.

You again, supported your community, by supporting this website.

Thank you's always sound so simple, and yet never seem like enough.

Businesses have begun to step up and said, "Here, YOU take my advertising" we believe in YOU!

That's when I start feeling goose bumps and think, "Hmmm...these people must really like what we do..."

It's a lot to take in, because I still feel like the gal who just sits at her computer copying and pasteing until the sun sets, and sometimes before it rises.  In my "real life" I'm just a wife, mother and grandmother like a lot of other ladies out there.  But for some reason God has blessed us with your attention, your love and your respect, and for that I am extremely thankful. (No I'm NOT Tebowing here, although I feel like it!) 

So Vinton, from the very bottom of my heart, thank you for your generous response to our request for your help. Thank you for every donation that came in, whether it was large or small, when it was all put together, YOU did it, we can now say, Vinton Today is supported by all of our friends who love Vinton Today...Vinton, Thank You, you're the best!