History at risk needs your help.

Click here to see the list of 2011 "angels" who have given $14,047 from April 1 through Dec. 19. The 2011 Guardian Angels campaign has so far reached 94 percent of its $15,000 goal. With these and other generous donations, eight more archive volumes have been preserved so far during 2011. At least six more volumes can be digitized with funding from this year's campaign.

Why do we need a digital archive project?
Research for Arkansas Catholic’s 100th anniversary made clear the perilous condition of the history captured in the newspaper’s archives. Years of deterioration from the acids naturally present in newsprint have reduced many pages to fragments, too fragile to read or even touch.

What is the Guardian Angels campaign?
It’s an invitation to participate in the history and work of Arkansas Catholic. The newspaper launched the first Guardian Angels campaign in 2010 in preparation for the paper’s centennial in 2011.

Why is it called “Guardian Angels”?
The campaign is named in honor of the newspaper’s original name, The Southern Guardian, which was soon changed to The Guardian. Many of our longtime readers still call us “The Guardian.” The newspaper needs “angels” to help preserve the history contained in archive issues for future generations.

What are donations used for?
We are urgently trying to digitize the first 91 years of archive issues chronicling the history of Catholics in Arkansas. Digitizing makes it possible to read the papers electronically and to quickly search for names, dates and topics.

How much is needed?
It is estimated to cost at least another $85,000 to complete this project over the next several years. Six years of weekly papers have been digitized using funds donated so far, leaving 85 years still in danger of crumbling away before they can be scanned.

Who can use the digital archives?
The digitized newspapers are available to everyone for reading and searching over the Internet. You’re invited to use them by clicking the archive link on the front page of www.arkansas-catholic.org.

Why can’t subscription and advertising fees pay for this?
Subscription fees cover only the cost of printing and mailing Arkansas Catholic, with a little leeway to cover increasing costs of paper and postage. Advertising and other projects cover part of the cost of news coverage, employee wages and equipment. The diocese provides a subsidy, but as the diocesan budget is tight there is not enough for the costs of preservation.

How can I help?
First, please pray for Arkansas Catholic and the success of the Guardian Angels campaign. Then, search your heart and your budget to determine how much you can give. Finally, you can ask your friends for support or volunteer in other ways.

How are donors recognized?
The Guardian Angels’ five “circles” of giving recognize donors for their contributions.
Angels: For donors who contribute $25 to $99
Archangels: For donors who give $100 to $499
Cherubim: For donors who give $500 to $999
Seraphim: For donors who give $1,000 to $9,999
Annunciation Circle: Reserved for donors who give $10,000 or more.

Arkansas Catholic will announce the members of giving circles in the newspaper, with our thanks.

Every donor is also invited to send personal prayer intentions, to be included in a special Advent Mass celebrated by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor.

Click here for a response form (in PDF format) you can mail to us with your donation or volunteer information.

Adopt a year
You can even "adopt" a specific year that has special significance for your family or parish. Honor a birth or wedding date, an ordination anniversary or the year your parish or school was founded with a donation to preserve that special year.
1914 to 1949 (except 1921, 1945): $1,500 per year
1950 to 1970 (all years available): $1,200 per year
1971 to 2001 (all years available): $1,000 per year

For more information
If you have questions or comments about the Guardian Angels campaign, you can click here to contact editor Malea Hargett by e-mail or call (501) 664-0125 during business hours.

You may also write to Arkansas Catholic Guardian Angels, P.O. Box 7417, Little Rock AR 72117.