In our last article about starting a newspaper, “What does it take to be a newspaper,” we focused on some of the requirements that a newspaper has to fulfill in order to be considered a newspaper. This week, I wish to write about some of the positive outcomes that starting a local newspaper has produced. These are the reasons we started a newspaper and the reasons we continue printing.
Perhaps the most touching stories that we have written in the past year and a half are the stories we publish under “Love Thy Neighbor.” These articles deal with individuals in our community that are battling an illness or those who are facing a difficult recovery from an accident. We publish these articles because it is important to help those in our community who are facing difficult times, because there is no doubt that each of us will also face a trying time at some point along the way. Usually there is a go fund me page, in which community members can make donations toward medical bills. However, in one case Romy Camargo, the owner of the Tampa Rehabilitation facility, Stay in Step read an article we wrote about Alexis Eukitis, a paralyzed teenage girl. Camargo reached out to us, so that he could offer her rehabilitation assistance. So it is not only about asking for donations, but finding resources for recovery within the community. Frankly, it is circumstances like this that make all the difficult aspects of running a newspaper melt away.
Inspiration is another result of our “Love Thy Neighbor” stories. Both six year old Sammy Huett, a young child fighting a rare form of cancer, and Derrik Amaral, former Oak Hill CNA paralyzed in a car accident, provide unique lessons of resilience about their individual battles. Sammy maintains the most infectious smile during even the hardest times. Derrik has an incredible will to walk again. There is no doubt this young man will achieve his goal.
Occasionally, an article will touch someone’s life in a way that we never could have predicted. When I wrote an article about The Arc Nature Coast’s new group home, Ann one of the new residents spoke at the dedication ceremony. I wrote about what she said and her life’s circumstances. Ann saw the article and was so excited to be in the newspaper. The next time she saw me, she gave me a big hug and a lovely colored picture.
We have had numerous people thank us for writing an article about their organizations or loved ones. This is truly a thankful not a thankless line of work. We continuously get phone calls and notes of appreciation for providing local news. Each time we receive one, it gives us the motivation to keep going.
All the people we have had the opportunity to work with are a blessing and each fill a vital role. When we find a new person to work with, it is like finding a neat shell at the beach. Each person is unique and adds their individual charm to the great collection of writers, photographers and contributors we currently have. Creating the Hernando Sun each week is challenging, but the rewards far outweigh the difficulties.
Learn more about Sammy Huett: http://hernandosun.com/sammys_fight
Learn more about Derrik Amaral: http://hernandosun.com/oak_hill_cna_walk_again
Learn more about Alexis Eukitis: http://hernandosun.com/alexis_eukitis