Image credit www.sxc.hu
In 2006, FAST COMPANY magazine did a short report about my work online helping children with congenital heart defects. The article was titled:
Interesting headline, isn’t it?
Since then, I’ve also been ‘Social Networking for Good’.
And have come across some amazing human beings involved in wonderful work, in efforts to make the world a better place.
Like Rosalyn Bronstein. She’s not rich and wealthy in a financial sense, but is one of the richest people I know. Every year, on CHD Awareness Day and during the Heart Kids Blogathon, Rosalyn gets in touch with me.
Her request is always the same: “Please tell me how I can help.”
Even when temporarily struggling to pay utility bills, she accessed computers in her public library to help spread the word about CHD Awareness Day. She went around hospitals, posting printed notes on bulletin boards to help tell more people about heart birth defects.
People like Rosalyn are the reason I can continue with my work, with energy and inspiration, knowing that it WILL make a difference.
On the other end of the financial spectrum is my friend - and in a sense, my philanthropic mentor - the maverick real estate multi-millionaire Frank McKinney.
Frank builds luxury mansions for the ultra-rich. Think FIFTY MILLION dollar homes!
He also builds shelters and homes for the extremely poor in Haiti. I’m a proud sponsor of his Caring House Project, and it’s time for my annual contribution to this worthy cause.
Frank McKinney called last November and we enjoyed a 30 minute telephone conversation. One of his core philosophies resonated strongly with me -
“Of those to whom much is given, much is expected.”
And on online social networks like Twitter, Facebook and MySpace, I’ve connected with some amazing people who are doing awesome things.
On Twitter, I met Roger Carr, Beth Kanter and Anne Mitchell.
Beth recently spearheaded a fundraiser to help educate children in Cambodia. With energy and passion I haven’t seen often, she rocketed her charity to the top of the ‘America Giving’ challenge - and won an EXTRA $50,000 donation for her cause.
Anne helped raise money to help the desperately poor in Tajikistan (bet you don’t know where that is, do you?!) - by tying in with a tea-house in her home town.
Roger is currently engaged in helping children with arthritis. You can learn more about his efforts here - and help him reach his goal.
Juvenile arthritis (joint problems in children) is particularly close to my heart. My aunt had severe complications related to a condition called SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) causing severe arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis runs in my family.
The pain is compounded many times over when it hits children.
Imagine a youngster excited about being able to hold a pencil and write - because the crippling pain is under control.
Experience the ecstasy and thrill a child feels when riding a bike in the sunshine - after not even being able to step out of bed because it hurts.
Think about a little boy or girl you know who enjoys childhood - and then of another with arthritis who will now be able to do everything the ‘normal’ way.
Those are the dreams Roger Carr is helping make come true through his efforts supporting the Arthritis Foundation.
Won’t you please help him make many more of these dreams come true?
Roger has set himself what I think a very modest goal - to raise $1,000 for the Arthritis Foundation. I’m sure he’ll hit it. But I want to make sure he SHATTERS that target - and gets far more than that for the kids.
So I’m donating $100. And asking you to help, if you can.
And for anyone who donates any amount to Roger’s fundraiser, I’m going to offer a gift. NOT as a bribe, or incentive, or any such thing. As a gift… one that will help you connect with the thousands of others like Roger, Anne, Beth, Frank and Rosalyn - through social networks.
That gift is my guide, the $97.00 ‘Social Media Marketing Plan’
It will show you how to explore social networks - and do GOOD.
Thank you for joining the growing ranks of wonderful, inspiring and generous people who are ‘Social Networking for Good’.
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5 Comments Received
April 15th, 2008 @4:45 pm
Once again, I feel as though you really hit the mark with what social media/networking/marketing is all about. I too, have really appreciated the connections with Beth, Roger and yourself via Twitter and other internet communication tools. It is refreshing to encounter people who use these tools to make a difference in the lives of others, and not merely for their own ends.This is the power of social media and, in fact what makes it social.
Social media tools help to bring social influence, social impact, and social change, and by doing so, gives us a greater opportunity to make the world a better place for those less fortunate who don’t have access to them. Keep being a voice crying out. Hopefully, many other info marketers will listen and do likewise.
April 15th, 2008 @5:22 pm
I’m sure that this arena will evolve as we begin to see how to make the best use of the tools we have at our disposal. Certainly having a plan in place is paramount. As Social Networking becomes even more prevalent making sure we also have a mobile strategy will be important too.
April 15th, 2008 @6:50 pm
Dr.Mani,
It is my turn to blush and thank you for your generosity. You always amaze me in a good way. You also truly know what it means to give and the benefits that come from it.
The online social media tools have made it possible to meet and become friends with you and other people making the world a better place. I can’t imagine not having and using these tools.
You have brightened my day!
Roger
April 16th, 2008 @1:52 pm
Great piece! Just wrote a post building on what you said .. maybe a little bit of a rant -
http://beth.typepad.com/beths_blog/2008/04/spamming-for-go.html
I also donated to Roger’s campaign too!
April 16th, 2008 @2:06 pm
Dr. Mani -
I’ve know Roger personally for a long time. He is the real deal. I’ve never met anyone who comes from the “How Can I Help” attitude more.
He teaches me what life is about on a daily basis.
Put me down for $100.
David
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