By “a few bucks” we mean some $18,000, and the goal — we speak of course of the 2018 Fall Webathon — is $300,000. Quite a goal, true, but then NR has quite a few (roughly 2,915) kindly and generous friends who have seen fit to share in this mutual cause that is dependent in part on the kindness of readers who know that NR is essential.

This campaign’s average donation is . . . let’s call it $100. Are you someone who has been an NR junkie for years, has always been mindful of the need to donate (because you believe: Yeah, there ain’t no free lunch), but has yet to do such, ever? Well, we figure there are probably at least 180 of you squatting on NRO this very moment — if all of you ponied up that C Note, the goal would be hit.

So please, make that donation. We seek $300,000, but please know: NR’s costs for producing the excellent political journalism that has been so in-demand and rip-roarin’ day in and out (and on overdrive these past months) far exceeds this figure.

As we enter the webathon’s homestretch, we have received more contributions that are accompanied by words of wisdom, advice, and praise. We share a few:

  • Bob from California, who has been donating for decades (Bill Buckley loved him!), sends 100 smackers and this comment: “You’re doing a great job. My go-to source each morning.” Bob, we cannot tell you how very much your continuous kindness has meant to us. It’s really quite inspiring. God bless.
  • Randy sends $100 in response to Jack Fowler’s guilt-trip appeal and fesses up: “Mr. Fowler, I deserve all the insults and browbeating you can dish out! I’ve failed to contribute for far too long. NRO offers the best political commentary out there, bar none. I appreciate that your writers don’t always agree with each other and that they are mature and wise enough to present their disagreements thoroughly and, above all, respectfully. Maybe I’m not looking hard enough, but I don’t notice that so much from the Left. Please never stop with your great work.” We won’t because people like you get it. Thanks Randy.
  • Ian also spots us a Ben Franklin and has this to say: “You do important work, and you do it well. In this modern world a rational, intelligent, and humane conservative voice is vitally important. I just wish that I could afford to give more. With very best wishes to all at National Review.” So good of you, and mamma mia what politeness!
  • Good old Anonymous also gave $100 and this must be one of the best comments we’ve ever received: “Thank you for all you do. You have helped me keep all eight of my children politically conservative even though they all went to college and four of them have doctorates. I truly am thankful.” Hot diggity dog that’s so inspiring. Thanks for letting us know.
  • We’ll end with this heady news: Michael gave NR one thousand smackers, making our gee whillikers jump! And all he had to say was “Keep up the good work.” Keeping it. You rock Mike!

Let’s finish this webathon by spiking the ball before 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday having reached $300,000. Here’s where you can make that contribution. Thanks to everyone who has responded to our appeals — we so appreciate your standing alongside us.