social media for good

Help 12for12k Support Hope for Haiti

This is a cross-post from 12for12k, following the humanitarian disaster currently happening in Haiti.

I don’t think I need to explain the human disaster that’s unfolding in Haiti. An earthquake of devastating proportions has ripped the heart out of the country, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake.

There are fears that there could be more than 100,000 fatalities and countless more injured and missing. This is the immediate impact. Long-term there is the threat of disease, illness, malnutrition, and much, much more. 12for12k is asking for your support to help the people of Haiti.

We are partnering with Hope for Haiti to raise much-needed donations to send to this humanitarian emergency. The immediate funds will go to helping the survivors with aid, shelter, food, medication and other essentials. Then there is the long-term need from there.

I know this is just after the holiday season. I know this is coming off the back of a year when people suffered financial strain. Yet we showed last year how much the 12for12k community cares, and the change we can make in whatever way we can. Please help us help Hope for Haiti and show our continued caring. You can use the donation widget below, which uses Paypal and goes directly to Hope for Haiti itself. $0.95 of every dollar goes to the humanitarian program needs.

Thank you, and let’s make whatever difference we can. And please, tweet this on Twitter, share on Facebook/display as your status, email folks to come here – we can really help together. You can also copy the embed code and display the widget on your own blog/site to spread awareness.

You can read Hope for Haiti’s press release about their aid program here. Additionally, you can follow their progress in Haiti via the Hope For Haiti Twitter account.

The Kids Are Alright

You might recall that I recently won a Nintendo Wii for coming up with the new tagline for The Printed Blog. I mentioned at the time that, if I won, it would go to the Sick Kids hospital in Toronto. Today was the day that happened.

I met with Caron Irwin MA, Child Life Specialist and Entertainment and Donations Co-ordinator for the Sick Kids hospital. She told me that the Wii would be going to the kids that need it the most – the ones that can’t leave the care area because of their treatment. This makes it even more effective, as they can exercise and have fun in their own space. Most of all, they can simply enjoy being kids.

She also mentioned that they have 26 play areas and it’s their dream to have a Wii in each one. Who knows, perhaps a future 12for12k project?

Thanks to everyone who helped me win the Wii, and to The Printed Blog for offering the prize. Also, a special mention to Michael Schechter who sent some Wii games to hand over as well. I’m sure the kids at the Toronto Sick Kids hospital send their thanks too.

Social Media for Good

As you may or may not know, I started a charity project this year called the 12for12k Challenge. At its simplest, it’s 12 charities throughout the 12 months of 2009, with the aim of raising $12,000 per charity. It’s a tall order, but one that can be achieved.

Yesterday, the 12for12k promo video was released. This is the result of a lot of hard work behind the scenes by Susan Murphy, Cheryl Gain and Kathryn Jennex of the 12for12k creative team. Post-production was very kindly carried out by Rob Lane and his great team at Overlay.tv.

I’d like to share the video with you now, and thank everyone for their continued support of the 12for12k Challenge. Together we can use social media for good and make the difference.

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