Whew—what a year 2020 has been! A few years ago, when we began Grice Connect as a way to help connect our community in times of disaster or need, we never imagined 2020. We know our community is at its best when we all join forces in supporting a common goal.
At no time has our community displayed this more than when Hurricane Matthew slammed into our Bulloch County, leaving thousands without power for days. Once we recovered as a community, a few like-minded citizens came together to create some systems and relationships that would help us be better prepared in the future.
Grice Connect: A Way to Connect Community Needs and Opportunity
One of the strongest needs identified was a single place where we could instantly distribute critical community information. This would be a place where citizens could share what they were experiencing, the help they could provide or things they needed. From this Grice Connect was born.
Our primary mission was to connect the community in every way by putting our best foot forward, sharing the secrets that make Bulloch unique and the people who make our community one of the most incredible places to live, work, and play.
We had everything in place and were ready to take Grice Connect to the next level. By partnering with local businesses and community-minded individuals who were willing to provide important financial support, we were excited about what 2020 would bring.
Our Gift to Bulloch County
In the early days of the pandemic, it was evident that this was going to be much different than any other disaster our community had experienced. We knew small businesses were going to struggle in unimaginable ways. With this, Lori and I decided that we would fund the operation of Grice Connect as a gift to the community. With a few exceptions, we have not accepted any advertising or sponsorships.
Our goal was to focus on becoming a source of factual information that was timely and important to our citizens. We didn't want businesses to benefit from others' pain, nor did we want to be influenced by sponsorship revenue.
Granted, it may have not been the smartest business decision, but we knew there was a niche, a need for what our vision for Grice Connect would become. Most importantly, it has given us the opportunity to see what you—our followers—truly want and need from a local news and information source.
Grice Connect has Grown to Be The News Source for Thousands
What really stunned us was how each of you responded. Now, thousands of Bulloch Countians depend on Grice Connect as their source for news and information. When there is a need or crisis in the community, we are the place you turn first. Many more of you loyally subscribe to our daily email, and look forward to receiving it in your inbox at 6 a.m. every morning.
Your support and response is humbling and exciting. We are filling an important need in our community and are at a critical point in which our next steps are going to chart the future of Grice Connect.
Partnerships and Sponsorships Available January 1, 2021
Beginning January 1, 2021, we will begin accepting sponsorships and partnerships from businesses and citizens who like what we are doing and want to join our efforts in supporting Grice Connect financially. With financial support we can begin to assemble a team to take this vision to the next level.
Kelsie Posey of Lori Grice Photography, Mandy Edwards and her team at ME Marketing, Lori and I are exhausted. We have worked tirelessly to keep Grice Connect fresh and focused on connecting you to our community in extraordinary ways.
Now it is your turn to step up and help us. The next few months will determine our path forward and honestly, if we will continue to exist.
We Look Forward to Your Support
If you have an interest in learning more about partnering financially—personally or through your business or organization—please contact me at [email protected] and we will follow up soon.
From the Grice, Posey, and Edwards families: we want to wish you the very Merriest of Christmases and a happy and prosperous New Year.
