Over the years, FOIA officers and records custodians have helped MuckRock release over three million government documents. With 2018 coming to a close, we cannot forget about those who helped make government transparency a reality this year.

With over 55,000 requests filed through our site, MuckRock and its users are thankful for getting the docs and holding government accountable through them.

It’s easy to focus on the challenges of public records, but behind every successful request is somebody who helped fulfill it - often with very few resources, a challenging balance of priorities, and a desire to help share their work with the public.

With the holidays upon us, requesters everywhere are making a list of the documents they hope to find in their stocking this year. But not everyone is in the mood for transparency cheer, with allegations that some top officials are pulling a Grinch when it comes to handing out the documents the public is owed.

Since last year, MuckRock users have filed a collective 14,852 requests — but none of that would have been possible without dedicated public servants. This holiday, take a minute to thank a FOIA officer who helped make government open and accountable.