Have you heard of Twitter? It’s like a blog in miniature. Twitter is a fabulous tool for networking and connecting with people all around the world with similar interests. It is also being used as a tool for doing a bit of good.
I was inspired recently by a group of local Twitter(ers) that organized an event to help the homeless in Vancouver through Twitter. This occured at the height (so far) of our winter storm. Temperatures were easily -15 and windchill was devastating. It was cold inside, and most of us couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have to spend a night like that outside.
Two people decided to take action. In the end, about a dozen people showed up to hand out warm clothes directly to the people that needed it most on the street.
A new friend gets some warm clothes (courtesy Yam De La Pena).
You can read more about the TweetUpHeatUp right here.
That was the day of our first big snowstorm in Vancouver and I found myself frustrated that I couldn’t make it downtown to do my part. That frustration led me to think about how I could use Twitter to do some good of my own.
That evening on the news I learned that Canadian Blood Services was in desperate need of blood. Due to the bad weather and the proximity of the holiday season, blood supply was low as were donations. I figured that this was an excellent opportunity to try something along the lines of the TweetUpHeatUp.
I announced my plans late on the Tuesday evening. Within minutes, I had offers from other Twitterers (notably Yam De La Pena) to help promote the idea. One friend after another promoted the event, spreading the word through the Twitter community.
There were five of us that showed up to give blood that day. I would have loved for a bigger response, but I think that given the short notice, the holiday season and the impending snowstorm, we did pretty well.
Waiting our turn. Dory was already ahead of us.
I’d like to thank Yam De La Pena, Gillian Shaw, Dory Lanenter, and Gus for coming out, giving of their time, and their blood.
Gillian putting her feet up. Yam filming the proceedings.
I am still hopeful that Twitter can be used for some amazing things. I will continue to run a TweetUpBleedUp, but only every 56 days (you can’t donate blood more often than that). You don’t have to be a registered user of Twitter to participate. Simply send me an email and I’ll keep you up to date.
I am also planning on seeing if I can use Twitter (and this Vancouver real estate blog) to do some good in other ways. Like many a Vancouver realtor, I like to help.
Relaxing and showing off my "I gave blood" sticker.
Stay tuned.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I am amazed at what Twitter has been able to accomplish this past month on so many special tweetups. Even though I didn’t officially give blood (check out reason #1 on the questionnaire), I am glad I was able to help support the cause!
Yes, I am amazed too…and I’m excited to see where Twitter could lead.
Thanks again for participating, it was great to have you there if only it was fohttp://www.sebastianalbrecht.com/vancouver_real_estate_blog/wp-admin/edit-comments.php?p=262#comments-formr moral support.
I did speak to the nurses about reason #1 on the questionnaire and they admitted it was ridiculous. They suggested that those who would really like to donate blood, but couldn’t for various reasons they CAN donate blood out at UBC that would be used for research. Just FYI.