The creation and support of the website has been challenging but also rewarding for me as the web master. Except for a short period of advertising the website has been fully funded by me in both time and money. However, times have changed over the years and now that I am retired the self funding of the website is more of a financial challenge. In addition, due to the increased complexity and size of the website my server has tripled the amount of the server fees I must pay to keep the website running. You may remember that MinonkTalk was down for several days last winter. This was due to hacking attempts. To prevent this from happening again I was required to upgrade my server requirements and my server fees.

Due to these issues, I am setting up a donation box for those who wish to help fund the MinonkTalk website. The donations are not meant just to be a source of funds. It also will be a measure of the support for this website. I am well aware of the loss of viewers of the website to those who choose to use Facebook as their main website. However, I feel this website provides a valuable service to the community.

It is vital that local media be preserved in a democracy. I fully intend to keep the MinonkTalk website running for as long as I can and encouragement from its viewers will keep me motivated to provide the best possible service

In conclusion, I am not trying to make MinonkTalk into a profit making website. The many thousands of hours I have spent and server fees I have paid over the last 22 years is proof of that. Most area media websites can cost up to $180 or more a year to subscribe to its content. MinonkTalk will remain a free website regardless if you donate or not.

No contribution is too small. More importantly, the number of donations rather than the amount will determine the future of the website.

Here is a link to the donation page.