Mary Louise VanNatta, Salem Reporter columnist
Growing up in the public relations business, I have been around a lot of journalists. I’ve known Les Zaitz for a number of years and when I heard he was starting an online news publication, the Salem Reporter, I was very intrigued.
Many of you may know me from my business activities in the community or my long stint writing for the Salem Business Journal or covering events for the Statesman Journal. I wrote hundreds of weekly articles for the SJ, covering everything from the Friends of Felines auction to Homeless Connect, an event that helped connect homeless people with the services they needed.
I absolutely love highlighting what’s great about Salem. Writing about nonprofits and events in our community is inspiring.
It’s easy for people to hide behind their computers or social media profiles. They use that platform to be critical or even downright mean. I feel so sorry for those people. How sad to think that’s their version of community engagement. What I’ve seen in Salem is people who really put their passions to work. They are volunteering for nonprofits, donating their hard-earned dollars and ultimately being involved in the solution.
I’m thankful that Salem Reporter has given me the platform to continue to tell the stories of the people working to make Salem a better place and to highlight the organizations that are making a difference. I also think it’s fine to have a little fun once in awhile. Actually, I try to have fun almost all the time.
Mary Louise VanNatta is a Salem public relations professional writing a regular column for Salem Reporter. Tell her about your upcoming event at [email protected] or follow her on Facebook.
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