Christmas and the New Year have come and gone, and in between those days, we at the Cassville Democrat were in the giving spirit.

In April 2023, we announced a new campaign for the Democrat called “Back 2 You,” wherein we planned to portion off 2 percent of all special project sales throughout the year and donate that amount to correlating organizations in our community.

Being our first year, we thought 2 percent would be a fair amount. It was fine, but we wanted to do more.

Even though it’s the “Back 2 You” campaign, this year, we upped the donation amount to 5 percent of special projects revenue.

Having landed on a total number, we weren’t sure exactly how to divide our donations up. While we want to have as great a reach as possible, we also wanted to donate amounts that had an impact, as well.

To that effort, Jordan sat down with all our projects and grouped them into five categories. From there, we selected five local non-profits to receive the funds: the Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation’s Barry County Neighborhood Center, the Barry County Museum, the Cassville Community Foundation, the Cassville Education Fund and the Soroptimist of Barry County.

Our goals in choosing those organizations were multi-faceted, but the main reason those five were selected is because all that money stays local.

Kim Healey, Barry County Neighborhood Center supervisor, said upon receiving her $853.73 check that the funds would help bolster their emergency fund, which has been low lately. This fund is used by OACAC to help people with emergency needs, like paying bills or buying medicine. I hope it helps as many people as Kim can stretch it to help, and that it makes a positive impact on local residents in need, whatever those needs may be.

As for the $291.60 to the Barry County Museum, we did not ask Director Kathy White where those funds would go, but as often as their displays change — and as much as we use Historian Jeremiah Buntin for information — I have no doubt Kathy will find the proper place to put it to good use.

To the Community Foundation and Education Fund, we wrote checks for $754.57 and $794.52, respectively. Both of these organizations have made significant impacts to our community and schools in recent years, and we hope to help them continue in that endeavor.

The Community Foundation oversees 22 total funds and, among other projects like helping fund the new fish cleaning station at Roaring River, gives five grants each year to local non-profits. The funds range from scholarships to community growth to church and education giving. It truly spans the gamut of our community, and though I don’t know exactly where our donation will go, I know it will benefit Cassville.

Though Education Fund overseer Mary Cupps was unable to join us for the photo due to illness, she reached out to thank us for the donation and the difference it will make for teachers and students. The grants from the education fund prioritize enhancing education by promoting student learning and development, and we a humbled to have any hand in helping local youth learn at their best.

Finally, as the majority of our readership is women, we allotted $362.05 for the Soroptimist of Barry County, which aims to improve the lives of women and children in Barry County by supporting the Barry County Youth Camp, Cassville Food Pantry, Cassville YMCA and Bright Futures, among others.

Our final donation in the year’s first campaign is one we have done in years past, but to a different organization. We are very proud to partner with Power of Pink, based in Wheaton, to donate $1,316.66 to help local women who are battling breast cancer. That amount is based on 10 percent of all October 2023 ad sales, and we know under the auspices of Janice McCracken, that money will be put to great use where it is very much needed.

Including all six donations, the Cassville Democrat’s first ever “Back 2 You” campaign put $4,373.13 into the hands of local organizations that know best how to make that money make a positive impact right here in Cassville.

I can’t describe how good it feels as a new business owner to be able to something like this. As editor previously, I was often shot down on any charitable action that would cut into corporate’s budget.

Now, we make the budget — we are “corporate.”

Troutman Media LLC believes in giving back, not only because our readers and advertisers have put us in such a great position to do so, but also because we want to serve our community beyond the pages of the paper.

I cannot be more proud that Jordan and I are able to make “Back 2 You” happen, and I cannot wait to donate again (and hopefully more) to these other organizations that make our community such a great place to live!

Kyle Troutman has served as the editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014 and became Publisher in 2023. He was named William E. James/Missouri Outstanding Young Journalist for daily newspapers in 2017, and he won a Golden Dozen Award from ISWINE in 2022. He may be reached at 417-847-2610 or ktroutman@cassville- democrat.com.