My mother-in-law was a journalist. When I met Helen Pickering, she was writing for the Palo Alto Weekly. But she got her start as editor-in-chief of the Stanford Daily, taking over the college’s paper when the boys were sent off to World War II. One of those boys turned out to be Joe Pickering, whom she married when he came home.
Joe and Helen were two of the first supporters of the Daily Yonder when we were just getting started. They read the Yonder, told their friends, drank rum punches out of Daily Yonder mugs, wore the T-shirts in the summer, and covered up with Daily Yonder fleeces when it got cold. In recent years they got in the habit of sending a challenge contribution during our annual donor campaign, offering to match $5,000 from other Yonder donors. They enjoyed being part of the Daily Yonder community. Last fall after the challenge was met, Joe matched it again himself.
Helen died in 2017. Joe passed away last spring at age 93. True pals to this endeavor. Mimi and I want to carry on the tradition that her folks started. She and I will match the next $10,000 in donations to the Daily Yonder to make everyone’s gift go further. With help from so many readers, the Yonder has expanded its coverage and broadened its range. Those gifts make a difference. And it is a good community to be part of. I invite you to join us by adding your support, if you’re able and inclined.
Make Your Donation
Through the end of the year, your donations can be doubled by NewsMatch. Contributions from individuals are eligible to be matched up to $1,000 per individual from November 1 to December 31, 2021, to a combined total of at least $18,000. An additional $10,000 in contributions are eligible to be matched under the same parameters, through a donor’s challenge from Dee Davis and Mimi Pickering, in honor of Helen and Joe Pickering. The Daily Yonder is a project of the Center for Rural Strategies, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Gifts may be tax deductible; consult your tax adviser for more information.