26 Nov

Giving … Cheerfully. (NaBloPoMo #26)

Author: Devyl Gyrl / Category: Baby S, Friends / Family, Goodness, NaBloPoMo, Social Networking, Twitter

I have a (social network) friend, Kat, who came up with an excellent idea to advantageously utilize social networking for the greater good.

I am sorry to admit that I, myself, have not yet donated to this cause … but I have pimped it out a couple of times on my various social networks. I want to take a moment to do so again, now.

Recently, Kat had to cancel a charity dinner she had been organizing, due to lack of participation. It made me sad to think I myself had not taken part in promoting the event other than one message sent out to all of my social networks. I know that had more of my friends (and their friends, and their friends … ) been aware of the event, the goal would have not only been met … but most likely exceeded.

I know the social networking community can be incredibly generous. When my best friend’s newborn was first diagnosed with cancer, several of my friends - some whom I had only spoken to once or twice before - jumped in and immediately donated gas money for me to get back and forth to the hospital daily for that first two weeks (the hospital is over an hour away, so it was quite a bit of gas, especially with the prices being so high at the time!). Another friend, Reg (or @Zaibatsu on Twitter/Plurk/etc), who had (just days before!) his own emergency with his own newborn shipped a beautiful set of baskets to my best friend. The baskets were filled with goodies for both Mommy and Baby S, and everything came into good use. The baskets themselves are the central decoration for the baby’s corner in BFF’s bedroom, as they match the bedding set perfectly.
Since then, I have seen occasion upon occasion where people have jumped to the rescue of virtual friends (who are, in reality, strangers). I have witnessed the generosity, concern, and open friendship of hundreds of people as they dove in to some cause or another.
Through her organization, Kat has given us a central location where we can come to share our wealth and love. The causes you donate to via Give Cheerfully are not individual people, but wonderful causes. Together, we can all make an impact … and I ask you to please, PLEASE check out Give Cheerfully.
Here is the blurb from their homepage:
Givecheerfully is the social media website that appeals to your social conscience. Our goal is to revolutionize the way people give using the awesome opportunities provided by the internet. This website will link people and businesses with charities, causes, churches and nonprofits all over the world. Givecheerfully will run strictly on the pledges and donations of those who feel called to give, so that 100% of every dollar will go directly to your chosen nonprofit. Charities and nonprofits will have the chance to be heard on a global platform. The average person can connect with the cause that touches them most. Nonprofit volunteers can post blogs, images, even video to advance awareness. Givecheerfully is the website that will connect all these people because we believe together we can change the world.

To find out more about Givecheerfully’s plans for this website, please check out our blog, specifically the First Seed post; or email us at info@givecheerfully.com.

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