Photo: Charity Water Facebook Page
This is a holiday of mixed emotions. It’s exciting to light the candles on Hanukkah, spend time with my coworkers at the tree in Rockefeller Center and experience my son’s first Christmas. But at the same time, I feel the need to give more than I ever have before. As a Connecticut resident, the people of my state have been hit hard by tragic events over the past few months. The holidays are a time for charitable giving and there are many ways to participate.
To find ways to help my local community and beyond, I went to social media. The social web packs more information than the elves on Christmas Eve. Here’s how I used social to give during this season and hopefully you’ll be inspired to do the same.
Superstorm Sandy
The American Red Cross has a Digital Operations Center which monitors social media conversations around the clock. They can pinpoint issues before they escalate and provide relief and aid quickly. Moreover, they have useful ways to help including:
To give directly to Sandy victims, specify “Disaster Relief” in your donation.
Sandy Hook
There are hundreds of articles on the Sandy Hook tragedy, but if you’re like me, that’s the last thing you want to read. I went to social media for ways to donate and help and there are some great resources.
My Sandy Hook Family Fund – donate to the families
The Stir, Cafe Mom Blog – list of places to donate
Emilie Parker Fund – Facebook group to raise money for the family who lost their daughter in the shooting
Lost Pets
Recently I used Facebook to help a neighbor get their dog back, and there are other great examples of social media helping this effort. Here’s some examples.
LinkedIn Groups - an example of using a LinkedIn Group to get Buckeye the Yorkie back home
Facebook ads – a story of how a coworker got his cat back with Facebook ads
Local Facebook groups – how my fellow dog park members helped get a dog home
Innovative Charities
Many charities have a similar approach: give once and you get an annual reminder or direct mail piece asking you to give again. But some organizations have a new way of doing things. Give up birthday, host an event, see how your specific dollars helped the cause, and the list goes on. Check out these innovative approaches to donations.
Heifer International – Buy a goat, chicken or many other animals for an impoverished community. See the stories of how you’ve helped.
Charity: Water – Fund wells in communities without running water and see the break down of how donations are utilized. They include lots of way to donate including giving up your birthday.
Whether you’re wearing your business hat or Santa hat as you read this, you can be inspired this season to use social media to give or even create programs of your own.
