Facebook, the most popular social networking site, has developed a forum only for causes. The site could represent any cause from animals to religion. Open forums are used to discuss, campaign and fundraise for these causes.
Haiti was struck with a major earthquake on Jan. 12 and in the wreckage of this catastrophe, the world has responded.
The damage of the earthquake caused at least 100,000 deaths and effected 3 million people around one-third of the Haitian population, reported CNN on Jan. 13.
Hastings College has made efforts to donate and supply goods to the people of Haiti; the giving doesnﾒt stop there.
Social networks have made it easy to learn about giving opportunities and news about the social, economic and hygienic climates of the literally uprooted southern region of the country.
Social networks have played a huge role beyond that of awareness.Facebook has been the host to hundreds of groups asking for money.
Four key words strategically typed into a google search bar Facebook, Haiti, Earthquake, Relief; these words brought up 141 million hits on February 2 in .18 seconds. That is faster than it takes to turn on a light bulb, according to Discovery Channel Mythbusters.
Causes.com, a Web site devoted to the cause of your choice can be linked from Facebook. Causes span from animals to religion and include health, human services and education. If a specific cause isnﾒt present, a person can create one. You can take initiative from the comfort of your dorm bed, the Perkins Library or from the third screen of your cell phone.
Philanthropy through social networking has brought giving to a whole new level. Unlike giving to a man dressed in a Santa Hat at Christmas or walking for breast cancer, social networking allows you to give without ever getting up.
Last weekﾒs top individual on causes.com raised $2,510 under the name Chris. Just Chris, and the money was raised for Haiti through Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief. The group Hope for Haiti Now is this weekﾒs leading group with 147, 226 members and 3,000 dollars raised. The subsequent two groups are related to Haiti and Downﾒs Syndrome.
Causes.com is a powerhouse in giving worldwide but is limited to Facebook members
Facebook has been questioned based on safety since the siteﾒs launch in 2007 by creator Mark Zuckerberg, yet people are shelling out incredible amounts of money through the site. As of yesterday, $58,00 had been raised for around 16,000 causes.
The world is showing up. Hastings College, how will you show up?
Every day at Hazelrigg, starting at 11 a.m. there is an old coffee jug with change in it; the jug is by no means full when it certainly could be. Penny wars are starting up, a contest between the dorms for a pizza or a bucket of ice cream.
