Shy no more, we humbly launch donation tool for love offerings

Ken hurdles and hustles.

Ken hurdles and blogs, but usually separately.

For my 61st birthday this week, I’ve treated myself to a WordPress plugin called Give. It allows friends of this site to make donations. So now I’ve shed my shyness about asking for money. Even with my Cafepress store and Google ads, I’ve done little to monetize masterstrack.com. The store, created by my son a decade ago, makes a pittance. The Google ads are gone for technical reasons. Because I’m still looking for full-time work, I’ve decided to leverage mcom — which gets 30,000 page views a month. You can give via PayPal (my preference) or check.

Fact is, I’ve been reporting on geezer track for nearly 20 years — with close to 5,000 posts since 2003 — and never asked a dime. Nor for a USATF stipend — or any other subsidy. That’s because this site’s independence is priceless.

National Masters News, God bless ’em, has gotten tens of thousands of dollars from USATF over the years. But I won’t seek that support. I won’t be beholden to masters leadership. Or obligated to toe a certain line.

So if you value our news and amusements, feel free to give. This site will never charge, or put content behind a paywall. I won’t badger or beg.

But I’m now accepting donations to help underwrite track travel and website expenses.

Thanks for your indulgence — and support!

[give_form id=”36407″]

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June 17, 2015

13 Responses

  1. Mike Sullivan - June 17, 2015

    Ken Stone,
    Glad to donate ….love to read your sight after coming of a few hills on South Mountain…..Came across your sight many years ago…inspired me to regain my passion for Track and Field….
    Thanks for all you do for masters track,
    Sully

  2. Nolan Shaheed - June 17, 2015

    Ken, for all that you have done for the promotion and advancement of Masters Track and Field, I will gladly make a donation to help you continue to do what you have been doing all these years without compensation. Thanks Ken.

  3. Rob Jerome - June 17, 2015

    Count me in for a donation too. I’ve appreciated how well you have used my photographs over the years. Keep up the great work!

  4. Ken Stone - June 17, 2015

    Ohmygosh, thanks! I’m also getting private email.

    The form has a default donation of $1, but the dropdown menu lets you go higher for a PayPal donation. But with a check, you can specify $1.25. (I’ll put the quarter to good use.) Look for the “offline donation” button option.

  5. James Chinn - June 17, 2015

    For all you’ve done for masters track, count me in.

  6. Dave Hockersmith - June 17, 2015

    Ken, though I no longer compete after 3 knee surgeries I still enjoy reading your columns each week and hearing how well my old pals are doing. Thank you for everything you’ve done for the sport. I know we all appreciate your passion and efforts. you’ve positively impacted all of our lives.
    Count me in too!

  7. Alan Kolling - June 17, 2015

    Ken, ditto to all of the above replies. Please count me in. “The check is in the mail.” Seriously.

  8. Peter L. Taylor - June 18, 2015

    Ken, I’m going down to Raleigh today for the Southeastern Masters, but when I get back I will send you a small check. As an editor, I know how hard it is to produce something interesting and readable every day. In editing for medical journals I have a much more forgiving deadline.

    Do you have a preferred payee and address? You can e-mail me the information if you’d like.

    As far as the Southeastern Masters, think “Ty Brown” in the 80-m hurdles.

  9. T. Mike - June 18, 2015

    The check is in the mail,… Thank you for all of your hard work over the years for the sport we enjoy. I am proud to donate.

  10. Rita Hanscom - June 18, 2015

    Yes, Ken. Count me in.

  11. steven bowles - June 18, 2015

    Great job ! Just mailed the check . Many masters , including me ,really appreciate the web site, your efforts and contributions to T&F . Steve

  12. Mary Harada - June 18, 2015

    a donation will be forthcoming, you keep us in touch with masters track and field.

  13. Dave DiMassa - June 19, 2015

    Ken, I have enjoyed reading about your observations of Masters Track for years. You have reached more people then you know. I especially enjoy your wit and good sense of humor. I will donate of course. Keep running!

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