Sanford Springvale News Gets New Life as a Nonprofit

Press Release

The Sanford Springvale News (SSN), which ceased publication in March, is being given new life by a group of volunteers committed to keeping information flowing to Sanford residents.

The Sanford Springvale News was started by Zendelle Bouchard and David Rude in 2020 to fill the void in local coverage felt since the demise of the weekly Sanford News in 2017. The SSN produced a free weekly email newsletter for close to 900 subscribers, a website, a Facebook page with over 3,400 followers, as well as a free print publication that was available at nearly 30 locations in the community.

The group has signed an agreement with Strategies for a Stronger Sanford (SFSS) for that organization to become the SSN’s fiscal agent. SFSS provides infrastructural support including administrative assistance and accounting, as well as a 501(c)3 structure (a non-profit classification). SFSS has nurtured several fledgling community organizations, including the Sanford Backpack Program, the Friends of Downtown and the Sanford Police Cadets.

Work is underway to transfer the SSN’s website (sanfordspringvalenews.com) to the new ownership. The group plans to begin by focusing on the website, and get that running smoothly before resurrecting the e-newsletter. Volunteers are being recruited for a variety of tasks including news gathering, writing, editing and photography.

The site’s events calendar and SSN’s Facebook page have continued to be updated, even after publication officially ceased.

Are you interested in helping out? Contact us to be added to the list of potential volunteers.

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay