A couple of weeks ago, we took you behind the scenes to share how things were going at COLAtoday and asked our readers if they would be willing to make a small contribution to help support our work.

As of today, over 165 of you have stopped what you were doing to send over some love and appreciation. In addition to the $3,750 dollars contributed, what tickled us the most were the words of encouragement, affirmation, and recognition.

Here are a few for fun:

“Moving to a new city can be hard. This newsletter helped me find events in my community AND learn about the history and rich culture of the city all in one. Thank you for your work to bring us all together!!” – Sarah

“Thank you for all your work in our community! Your news coverage is pertinent, engaging, and concise, and I always look forward to reading each day's new content. My family appreciates you!” – Derek P.

“Thank you for what you've always done, COLAtoday team. Up until these times of COVID-19 it was a luxury to learn about local events, happenings, and history. Now we view your daily publication as a necessity to help us determine where we need to spend our time, money, and efforts to help others. Stay safe and well!” – Amit D.

“I love that you deliver news daily and you genuinely care about what the community wants. The fact that you ask us and then report on the results is part of what makes your publication stand out. Keep up the good work!” – Nicole B.

“I've learned more about Columbia than I could have ever imagined because of COLAtoday. Thank you!” – Becca P.

“l look forward to reading COLAtoday every morning for all the latest news/events in Cola. Praying for our city, country, and the world as we stand together against COVID-19.” – Mary H

“Love Cola Today!!” – Laura B.

“Love reading the Cola Today email every morning :-) Thanks for keeping us informed.” – Lisa M.

“Keep up the good work! I enjoy reading your articles everyday! I have lived in Columbia for over 30 years and it is growing and expanding and thanks to you, we are being updated on outdoor activities, new restaurants, special pricing, how we can help, etc. Julie” – Julie M.

“My students in the school of journalism at UofSC regularly read and rely on your coverage. I do, too. I enjoy your work and support hyper-local model of storytelling - entertainment, community-driven, people-centered news and information. Thanks for what you do!” – Daily Reader

“Thank you for all you do to keep Columbia folks updated.” – Bethany B.

“I look forward to your email every morning. It keeps me informed and up to date on what is happening in our city. I have you and the Skimm to keep me informed on what is going on internationally, nationally, and locally. Love Cola Today!” – Rachel

“Thank you for the daily newsletter! It's the first thing I read in the AM with my coffee. It keeps me up-to-date on all things Columbia/Midlands! Wonderful resource.” – Tina Marie D.

“Thank You for providing this service to the Columbia area.” – Kim C.

“Thanks for Cola Today. I read it every morning with my coffee to stay up-to-date with the latest happenings in Columbia.” – Pamela J.

"When I moved to Soda City from Wisconsin a little over a year ago, a friend shared your information with me. I have been an avid reader since and really appreciate the information you provide and it continues to help me learn the area. Thanks for promoting the local scene and providing valuable information on what's happening!!” – Jeff

“Love what you provide in COLAToday!” – Paul T.

“Thanks! You and Free Times are the only way to get Columbia news.” – James H.

“Thank you for bringing an informative, fun, and quality piece of local journalism to Columbians each week! We appreciate your support for and love of our city. Here's a little support back at this crazy time. Everyone hang in there!” – Anonymous

“In fond support of the city I call my hometown -always and forever. Though I have lived in Virginia for over 40 years, my heart belongs to Columbia. This is an excellent newsletter and one that I am proud to support. Keep up the great job!!” – Sheila J.

“The information COLA Today provides has made retirement in our city much more interesting. Thank you!” – Appreciative Senior

“Your Newsletter has great information on the goings on in Cola everyday. Thank you for the job you do you and I hope and pray that your business will weather this storm!” – Betsy

“Thanks for keeping us \in the know\" in Columbia!" – Drucilla B.

“Thank you for all that you do to support the people and businesses of our great city. We love Columbia and it is obvious you do too!” – COLA Fan

“Thank you for such informative, timely, and fun local news. Your newsletter helps me feel connected to my community, and provides great ideas for local engagement.” – Linda C.

“Thanks for personalizing the city.” – Steve S.

“I look forward to reading your newsletter daily. I always learn something new. Thank you!” – Colleen

“Thank y'all for the daily news. I sincerely enjoy this newsletter and recommend it any chance I get!” – AR

“Thank you for bringing us so much information about the things going on in our neighborhood. I really appreciate the ease of getting these emails every morning!” – Katie J.

“I often share info about fun family things to do with my kids for my grands. Thank you!” – Dee G.

“Worth the support every day - a great service to our community” – Sylvia

“Y'all keep crushing it, great content and insight into local happenings that make me feel more connected. We'll be back out swimming in community again so soon!” – Nick K.

“Thank you for local newsy news.” – Maureen B.

“You make my mornings!” – Barb S.

“This is easy because I would gladly pay for a subscription to your posts every morning! You guys do an excellent job!” – Steve

“We Love your insightful and creative articles and as small business owners we are so grateful for everything you do for our community.” – Julie + Bo P.

“Keep on sending these amazing updates. The coronavirus content has been extremely helpful to have in one place and relevant but love the standard info as well! Stay strong, we'll get through this.” – The Fennells

“First thing in my morning: you and coffee. I hope not to run out of either of you.” – NJP

“Love this part of my morning ritual! Keep up the great work!” – Perrin W.

“I count on you to give me lots of good information I wouldn't get elsewhere. Thank you for all you do to keep things as normal as possible!” – Margaret J.

“This is the only thing I read consistently every day. Thank you!” – Ariane

“Thank you for all the knowledge you share each day! I would miss so many events around our city without you!” – Theresa

“Thanks for all the consecutiveness you bring to our community!” – Alan R.

“You are doing a great service for our community. I share your content with elders who have limited or no access in the hope that it will help them as it helps me. Keep up the great work!” – Sharon H.

“Keep up the great work! We are new to the area and love your newsletter! – The Hamiltons

Thank you for being a beautiful example of the power of co-creation and connection in community!” – Sacred Is Creative

“Thanks for bringing us all the news and responding to my email (very impressive).” – Sonya L.

“Thank you for being a great resource for our community and for the fun personality you infuse into everything you do. You are the only eNews I read religiously. Lots of love to y'all!” – Megan + Brian C.

“Thank You for All you do - I can't imagine not having you in my inbox everyday - keep up the great work (and stay safe)! Keep us posted and let us know if you need more support!” – The Van Fam

“You all have really stepped it up during this crisis! We thank you.” – Pamela G.

“You guys do a fabulous job of keeping us informed about what is happening in our community. Thank you and keep up the good work. We thank you for what you do to make the world a better place. Many years ago I was a journalism student so I have a deep appreciation for what you do.” – June + Arthur

“I love this newsletter and it is worthy of a subscription donation. Thanks!” – Kathleen S.

“Thank you for keeping our community informed on a wide range of subjects that pertain to our city and surrounding area.” – Deborah

“We love you guys. Can't imagine not reading you every weekday morning!” – Bob R. + Sherree L.

“Learn so much I would never have known about goings on in our great city.” – Linda

“I look forward to reading your emails every day. Great info about local happenings, history and lots of other interesting content.” – Brandy M.

“Keep up your great work! You Inform, connect and inspire....this is what you mean to us.” – Dominiak Family

“Thank you guys for gifting our community with local, important, non-biased, healthy, and easily digestible news. The layout of the email allows the reader to seamlessly read and scan without confusion and the content is always relevant and informative!” – Victoria E.

“Thanks for keeping it local and keeping it honest, compassionate, and fun.” – Gordon C.

“Thank you for keeping us informed everyday! This platform is brilliant. Appreciate you all so much.” – Sarah Lynne H.

“Love you guys and appreciate everything you do! Thanks for staying so positive and relevant unlike many of the other news sources. Take care and be safe!” – Robert C.

“You guys are extraordinaire!! I do not know what I would do without your local news and completely up to date!Keep up the good work you are needed and deeply appreciate,,,,,,thanks” – Karen

“Thanks for the daily current messages. Better than a newspaper in many ways.” – Papa

“Your publication is thorough, broad, and helpful!” – Robert B.

“You answer the questions I haven't even thought to ask, and the information is always relevant and useful. Thanks for your work!” – C.G.A

“Only paper I read!” – Ben

And many, many more…

So today, we want to say thank you. We are sincerely grateful for your support and we couldn’t do this without you.

Please keep in touch. Send us an email at hello@COLAtoday.com or drop us a message on social, and we look forward to seeing you every morning right here in your inbox.