In today’s age we all understand that Social Media is
becoming more and more a part of everyday lives. Social Media is often looked at
an excellent opportunity for business and personal branding experts to spread
their knowledge. However, over the last few months I have had the pleasure of Social Media being put towards plenty of Social Good.
Over the last few months I have had the opportunity to
engage in many campaigns for social good that create social change and
awareness. I have seen some incredible showings of support for organizations in
need. One of my favorites goes back to September for Light of Life.
This fundraising effort started by Jessie of Light of Life
posting in the Pittsburgh Bloggers group sharing the need of socks and
underwear.
From this post came an outpouring of support from the
community lead by Lindsey from I Heart Pgh who created a Crowdrise campaign. Eric
Williams imagined the hash tag #givingskivvies and from there it spread like
wildfire through local social media channels. A simple Google search of the hash
tag #givingskivvies yields over 500 results. So many people contributed to this
campaign through tweets, Facebook and blogs posts. However, it was a simple
organizations needs and the love of community that helped Light of Life reach
140% of the Crowdrise Goal!
Another incredible example and showing of support comes from
Facebook with the Western PA Humane Society. The Western PA Humane Society has
a very active page and one day they posted a need for Iam’s Dog Food. There
supplies of dog food were dwindling down and they were in need of more. With-in
hours they had an out pouring of support, shares, comments and people looking
for a number of ways they could help.
Often times Social Media is regarded as a fun or business
platform but it truly can be used for incredible amounts of social good. This
kind of social giving came simply from the needs of a charitable organization
providing for the community. When the community saw the organization in need
people stepped up to help and provide how they could. At the end of the day
this is what society is all about, helping folks when they are down and the
same should apply to the organizations that play such a vital role in our
society.
Will Reynolds Young is a Social Media
Freelancer and Chief Digital Officer of Climb On! Products, Inc. In his spare
time he is a social media fiend, co-organizer of PghTweetup and a internet and
music addict.