The amazing partnership of the Gazette, The Recorder, and United Way
In 1921, a concerned citizen penned a letter to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, asking, “ ‘A Community Chest?’ Why not? Look at what Springfield has done successfully in the past three years.” The next year a newly-formed Community Chest, the precursor to our United Way, had its first campaign.
From those first words to today, the Daily Hampshire Gazette has been a big supporter of United Way. In 1925, future Gazette publisher Charles N. DeRose got involved in United Way campaigns at the age of 18—a value he passed on to his sons, and the next generation of publishers, Charlie and Peter who, though retired, are leadership donors to this day.
That same relationship between paper and United Way played out just to the north. The Greenfield Recorder has supported its United Way since the first fundraising campaigns in the thirties.
In 2005, Newspapers of New England, owner of the Recorder acquitted the Gazette, and, last year, the United Ways of Franklin and Hampshire counties came together, and through it all, the unique relationship between papers and United Way has remained strong. The papers conduct annual internal fundraising campaigns, they have donated valuable pro-bono advertising, and their employees have served on United Way boards and committees. The papers’ monetary support alone tallies over an estimated million dollars.
Thirty years ago, the Recorder joined with the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce to start a Franklin County Citizen of the Year. In 2014, the Gazette and United Way started a similar recognition program in Hampshire County. All these awards highlight the amazing spirit of giving back that seems to be part of our local DNA.
Current publisher Shawn Palmer has a long history in the industry, yet rarely has he seen commitment to community like he does here, including with the Gazette and Recorder. “To be blunt,” says Palmer, “people really give a damn—they care.”
In 1993, the Recorder started a drive for coats and warm clothing for children in conjunction with Wilson’s department store in Greenfield. In 1933, the Gazette started an annual toy drive with employee Sidney Smith. Both Wilson’s and Smith are now gone, but the drives—and commitment—continue.
A hundred-year-old relationship is remarkable, but time is different for these two publications. They are living history, and there is nothing else like them in our region or even the state. The Gazette was founded in 1786 and The Recorder in 1792. They are the oldest newspapers in Massachusetts and among the oldest in America. Palmer is keenly aware that with nine generations of publication history behind him, he is just a steward. “It is sobering and humbling to now carry the torch,” he says.
Most important, though, is the continued relevance of the publications, which extends beyond giving back, to the core of their missions. They are the wellspring of local news. “If we don’t cover it, who would?” asks Palmer, adding, “There are other local news sources, but they get their leads from us. Like the awards we co-support, we shine a light on those who usually don’t get it. It is nice to be part of the community. It is nice to raise up people and inspirational work.”
The key, according to Palmer, is to keep things local. The Gazette and Recorder might share back office resources, but their reporters are in their respective communities. They have their fingers on the pulse of local and open our eyes to all aspects of the community. Because in the end, it is all about supporting the community: the publications’ relationship with United Way and other nonprofits, the awards, collecting clothing and toys, and the impactful journalism.
“I love being in the middle of it all,” says Palmer.