Two years ago today, Patch began to take root in Cupertino, excavating the town’s untold stories, highlighting residents too humble to acknowledge their accomplishments and cutting at the crux of core issues that simultaneously divide and unite the community.
Patch began as AOL’s start-up company committed to bringing up-to-the-minute news solely through the Internet and social media. Two years later, the company has expanded to more than 900 sites nationwide.
Cupertino Patch has become successful thanks to our readers who have invited us into their lives, shared photos, offered news tips and engaged in lively conversations on our comment boards.
We want to say THANK YOU to our loyal readers, without whom we wouldn’t be celebrating this second anniversary.
Simply put, Patch is for you. That’s the whole reason Patch exists, to be of service to our readers, to help create community, to provide a space to share your thoughts, opinions, post photos and announcements for others to see.
But instead of us telling you what Patch is about, why don’t you tell us!
Tell us what Patch means to you. Why do you come here? What do you get from Patch? How does it engage you? What were some of the stories you remember most fondly? Tell us in the comment section below.
And if you’re looking to get more involved with Patch, here are some suggestions:
1. Share your news:
If you're celebrating births, weddings, accomplishments or more, go to our announcements feature, accessible from the homepage. Or post your events to our calendar, by clicking “post your own event” from the homepage.
2. Get Connected
“Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. By engaging with Patch via social media, you can see quick news bites, hear what we might be working on or what events we might be covering and post your own photos and videos.
3. Blogging
Become a blogger on our site. Cupertino Patch is more than a news site, it’s an online conversation about the community. Cupertino Patch has an active stable of bloggers, but we’re always looking for more. We’re looking for regular people and community leaders with passionate views in search of an established all-local digital platform or citizen bloggers seeking access to a much wider audience.
4. Find Volunteer Opportunities
Visit our volunteer page for information about Patch’s volunteer efforts, posting information to find volunteers for your organization, finding information to become a volunteer and links to articles about volunteers in the community.
5. List your business
Claim your listing for your business or organization by emailing us at directorysupport@patch.com. If you own or manage a business or organization in our directory, you can claim it to post photos and update information (best of all, it’s free!)
6. Get Breaking News Alerts
Breaking News alerts will make sure you know about the most important news first.
7. Engage in Discussion
Engage with your friends and neighbors on Patch. Every news story has a comment section—post your reactions or questions. Cupertino Patch has a very active comment section, with many regulars sharing their views on important matters affecting our town. So, join the conversation.
8. Share a news tip
Is there something that we should know? At the bottom of the homepage, there's a link that says, “Send Us News Tips.” Tell us about stories we should cover.
9. Get the newsletter
Sign up for the Cupertino Patch newsletter. It will deliver all the articles and announcements that have been posted in the last 24 hours straight to your email every morning. You can also sign up for the weekly newsletter, which shows a subset of the content created and featured on our site over the last few days. CLICK here to sign up for the Cupertino Patch newsletter.
10. Upload your own
Videos and photos such as the rainbow over Cupertino shared by reader David Fung on Friday, or his pictures of Endeavour's last flight can be shared with everyone right here on Cupertino Patch. Post photos from local festivals or send in a snapshot of your best Farmers’ Market recipes. We invite you to share the memories that you’ve caught on camera with the rest of the community.
11. Letter to the Editor
Submit a letter to the editor. Express your thoughts or concerns about anything that might be stirring up conversation around town and we’ll post it. After all, we’re here to serve as an online space for community dialogue. Email it to Editor Anne Ernst at anne.ernst@patch.com.
12. Advertise With Us
For all advertising queries, please e-mail us about advertising at anne.ernst@patch.com, or Regional Publisher Brigitte Center at brigitte.center@patch.com, 707-217-3606.
