Twestival - Using Social Media for Social Good
Last week, I tried a social experiment of sorts. Its purpose: to gauge the amount of sway I have on Facebook.
My status on St. Patty’s Day was about a local charity. I encouraged my friends to like it. For every thumbs up, I would donate $1 to the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation- Gainesville’s designated charity for this year’s Twestival.
Within an hour, I had received 30 likes. By the end of the day, that ubiquitous button had been clicked no less than 80 times. I have never been this popular on Facebook.
I’m not complaining. Facebook is often ratted on as a time waster and superficial outlet. But amid the tirade, we forget about its original purpose: connecting and sharing with others. I have no doubt that most of the 80 who saw my Facebook have not the slightest clue why I was raising money for the Foundation. But if Facebook allows them to contribute to a cause greater than themselves with just a click of a button, it can’t be all bad…can it?
Tomorrow, March 24, is Twestival aka Twitter Festival. Twestival uses social media for social good by connecting communities offline on a single day to highlight a great cause and have a fun event. It is the largest global grassroots social media fundraising initiative to date.
Here in Gainesville, Florida the chosen local cause is the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation, which is raising funds to build a children’s hospital. There isn’t a magnificent amount of participation in the Twestival here, but it’s the small things that count. After all, Twestival was born out of the idea that if cities are able to collaborate on an international scale, but work on a local level, it could have a spectacular impact. Even a dollar here and there from local residents can do a world of good.
On that note, I best live up to my promise as declared on Facebook and donate my small share of $80!
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