Lots of Great Reasons to Donate to Streetsblog Chicago This Weekend

“I appreciate how hard you guys work to get the story right – I know it’s not always an easy job. You have really helped people understand the importance of trails and open space.” -- Beth White, manager of The 606 / Bloomingdale Trail project

“Streetsblog does an incredible job of highlighting policy, planning, and design around alternative transportation and safe streets for all.” -- Oboi Reed, cofounder of Slow Roll Chicago

“Streetsblog Chicago is a great outlet for thoughtful information and discussions on how to improve the transportation network of Chicago.” -- Steve Schlickman, consultant, former head of UIC’s Urban Transportation Institute

“Your interest has helped immensely to spread the word about the transportation challenges in the Riverdale community area, of which there are many. It has really helped expand and propel our advocacy.” -- Deloris Lucas, Safety & Transit Action Council, We Keep You Rollin’

“I gave because I appreciate Streetsblog’s advocacy for safe streets for all Chicago residents.” -- Carmin Ballou, reader

“The content you provide is valuable. The awareness you create is valuable. I see my small financial support as a civic duty.” -- German Flores, reader

For the second year in a row, Steven Vance and I have been touched by the outpouring of support from Streetsblog Chicago sponsors, advertisers, and, especially, our loyal readers to help keep our independently financed publication running. We literally couldn’t continue our sustainable transportation and livable streets reporting and advocacy without the backing and encouragement we’ve received from good people like you.

As you know, we’re in the midst of a challenging fund drive to raise $50,000 by Wednesday, June 1, in order to win the $25,000 challenge grant from The Chicago Community Trust charitable foundation that will allow us to keep publishing for another year. We’ve made tremendous progress over the last few weeks, raising $39,555 so far. A big thanks to all of you who have contributed so far.

But we’ve only got five more days – only two business days – to raise the remaining $10,445 by our deadline of Wednesday at the stroke of midnight. Since we can’t afford to leave that $25K on the table, failure is not an option. We’ve still got some sponsorship and advertising possibilities in the works, but we’re definitely going to need a lot more help from readers to make this happen.

The good news is that we’ve got a lot of great incentives to reward you for your contribution. Everyone who donates between now and Wednesday will be entered in a raffle to win these prizes from our friends in the local bike industry:

• A stylish, comfortable Kali helmet from Ancien Cycles
• A $100 gift card for classy-yet-practical bike bags from Po Campo
• NEW: A package of essential bike accessories from Ravenswood’s Green Machine Cycles, including an Axium mini pump, two Velocity water bottle cages, a sheet of Nathan reflective safety stickers, a patch kit and tire levers, and a Soma Fabrications Stash Bottle handy for storing tools and other gear in one of the bottle cages.

Those who donate $100 or more will get a copy of my book “Bars Across America.” Give $200 or more and we’ll also throw in a copy of the anthology “On Bicycles.”

Best of all, we’ll be holding a challenge grant victory party (since we must win the $25K) on a soon-to-be-announced date in June at the Revolution Brewing taproom in Avondale. All Streetsblog readers are cordially invited, but those who have donated $100 or more will receive a ticket for a free pint, courtesy of the good folks at RevBrew.

Again thanks so much for your support. We look forward to toasting to our next year of publication with you at the brewery next month.

- John

Streetsblog Chicago will resume publication on Tuesday, but we'll be tweeting out the progress of our effort to win the challenge grant all Memorial Day weekend. Feel free to stay in touch via Twitter from the barbecue or beach -- we'll be listening. Have a great holiday!