Who would have imagined that innocuous Tweet would unleash a veritable tsunami of social good?
It was 10:30pm on January 7, 2010. I had just finished a haunting Pinot and was feeling grateful for my health, my family, my life. In a Tweet, I asked for your suggestions on worthy nonprofits.
Within minutes, it let loose a deluge from Twitter’s most passionate and caring souls…you! (Some of the stories under “Comments” below will take your breath away. I saw the good of the donations, but the stories — your stories — have forged this blog into a worldwide community of social good!)
For the past two years, I have channeled my energy and efforts into CARE (an organization I love). But, I thought it would be good spread that love wider. After all, there are so many honorable, yet unheralded, causes out there. So, I put it to those I love most in the social media world: our followers on Twitter.
@savetheorang Tweeted: “How can you possibly choose from so many causes in need?! How about to the one that makes your own heart swell?”
They all make my heart swell! So, I decided to donate to them all…on behalf of each of you! Who says we can’t change the world one Tweet at a time? Who says we can’t move mountains?
Until Jan. 12, I am going to donate $250 to every cause that you suggest. Individually $250 not be much, but in aggregate, we can do a lot of good here! (After Jan. 12, please continue posting your stories and causes; we will donate to select causes — and we are getting tens of thousands of visits a week now. Posting here will help you generate awareness.)
As an aside, I have to something funny to share: In the first hour of my Tweet, we received five comments (and five causes) and I thought: “Hey, this is great! Five terrific causes. $1,250 well spent! What a day! Woo! Going to bed…” Then, five became ten. Ten swelled to 20. The tsunami of social good kept coming: 30, 50, 70, 100! In the first 12 hours! A feeling of gratitude — and fear — swept over me when I did the math (“Ok, 100 causes x $250. That’s $2,500. Wait, no, that’s…$25,000! In 12 hours! Honey, I may have led the genie out of the bottle! It’s good genie, but she’s out of the bottle!”
Is this going to cost more than I had envisioned? Yes. Am I happy about that? You bet. Is it a phenomenal way to create a global community of social good? Absolutely.
HOW TO DO GOOD
1. Choose the one cause that makes your heart ache and your blood boil.
2. Click {Comments} below and add your cause. Explain why you chose that organization, tell your story — and please include a link to their website. You can even embed a YouTube video which I strongly suggest since it will bring your cause to life. Also, please add your Twitter handle, so that everyone here can follow everyone else.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead said it. We are living it. Imagine: A single Tweet of 140 characters. And within 24 hours, we reached 20 million people and raised $25,000+ for your causes. And we are just getting started.
There are countless precious souls who feel like the world has left them behind. Many have lost hope. Through your actions, you are renewing their hope. There is no greater gift you can give.
I love you for that. And, I thank you for that.
E.
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