A story about a terrifying climbing accident evolving into an instance of social media for good
Within one nanosecond a life can change forever. Derek Markham, also known as Natural Papa to his web audience, learned this the hard way. On January 15, 2010, Derek fell during a horrifying climbing accident leaving him with broken bones and an exorbitant hospital bill.
While Derek's life almost had an unfortunate ending, this story, his story has a positive one. While recovering, Derek posted an account of his accident to his blog and shared with his followers the impact it left on him and his family who do not have health insurance. Within days, green community leaders from around the web, like The Good Human and Twilight Earth, stepped up to help support Derek both mentally and financially. By February 1st, a formal social media campaign had begun to help raise money for Derek's medical bills, Save the Derek Fundraiser. In a little over a week, hundreds of tweets poured in, more than a thousand people clicked through and more than a hundred people, many of whom had never even met Derek, ended up donating more than $1,800.
Knowing Derek through his blog and Twitter feed where he continuously spreads the Greenopolis love, and contributes great recipes and parenting tips, we at Greenopolis were moved by his plight and will be donating $500 to the cause. You can also donate to the fund by clicking here.
Perhaps it's a sign of his new found maturity or the fact that he has recently become a father, but the bassist of the currently semi-stalled band Fall Out Boy has found a new, philanthropic pursuit to write home about -- ensuring that children in less fortunate regions gain access to fresh water.
In addition to being an amazing athlete, Mrs. Vonn also gives back...
"SOS Outreach students got a chance to hang with Lindsey Vonn before she headed off to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver‚ and even got to ask questions at her press conference that afternoon. On February 17‚ in her first event‚ Vonn won the gold medal in the downhill‚ becoming the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the downhill."
"As a nonprofit organization, SOS Outreach programs build character and self-esteem in youth through outdoor activities and the SOS curriculum."
When she's not whooshing down insanely slick snow-covered mountains, this eco-chick has an Olympic-sized heart of gold when it comes to charitable endeavors. Now, she's hoping that a few like-minded green sponsors will help her out.
Okay...they're out there...high-falootin'-tootin' gajillionaire celebrities who actually do give a hoot about the planet. Take a look at the top 10 celebri-greenies who happen to dabble in the online eco-world.
Most of us think about giving or volunteering, but when it comes to the execution we are a little slow on the draw. It's easy to put off, or to feel overwhelmed by so many worthy causes. YPNation's Kate Tighe is determined to "tithe" this year, to give 10 percent of her income. She made this promise back in December, and here are her thoughts on her progress so far:
"This week’s column is an accountability check for me, but also a reminder to myself and to any of you out there that it’s best to start now to work giving into your accounting for 2010. It should be a healthy habit and not an explosion of extra funds at the end of the tax year. Also, with a little planning, giving can be more targeted, more creative, and have more impact.
On Monday, The New York Times published an article about The Secret Society for Creative Philanthropy. They are a group of friends who disperse money in creative ways and have regular dinner parties where they account for it, increasing the likelihood the money is given and linking giving to friends and to fun. Who says it has to be a private or somber or holy activity?"
She's known for many things, but now Ms. Johansson can add "fashion accessory designer for a worthy cause" to her increasingly long list of accomplishments. Anyone who's wondered how they can help Haiti earthquake victims without breaking the bank will want to read on...
Stars and charity go together like peanut butter and jelly...and the latest two figures to add their dynamic public presence to worthy causes are Mr. Sedwick and Mrs. Kucher. You can actually help them score significant grants for their charities -- just take a moment to read on for full details.
You know what should be music to our ears? When musical celebrities care enough about the future of our environment to wield their power for good. That's what the Green Music Group is all about...you should definitely check it out!
By Kathy Ehrich Dowd | Friday, January 22, 2010 11:54 AM ET
A Minnesota couple donates their entire food budget to Haiti relief and plans a pared-down affair.
Weddings are beautiful, special, once-in-a-lifetime (hopefully) events. But let's face it: They can often be pretty over-the top, too. And with so much devastation in the world, it certainly seems like some brides have lost perspective when they melt down over details like dresses and flowers.
But bride-to-be Leah Bogen is anything but a high-strung Bridezilla. On the contrary, she and her fiancée chose to scale back their affair and donate a full quarter of their wedding budget to Haiti relief efforts.
Bogen got the idea when she scanned her Sunday paper, which featured devastating images of Haiti, and contrasted them with the smiling models on the covers of her bridal magazines.
"How can you not want to send money?" she asked KARE-TV in Minneapolis.
So she broached the idea with her fiancé, Will Nicholson. His reaction? "He sort of gave me this shocked look and said, 'Yes, I love you. Do it.'"
"If this was going to make things more perfect for her I thought, 'What the heck, let's do it,'" added Will. (Aww ...)
Overall, the couple is donating $2,500 — their entire food budget — to Partners in Health.
And what does that mean for the food at their June nuptials? "We have some ideas. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were the first ones I could come up with. You can put those together pretty fast and have them ready for everybody," declared Bogen.
No matter what they end up serving, Bogen and Nicholson hope their act inspires others.
"If anyone has anything they can cut out from their budget and maybe send a donation that would be the message we'd like to get across," said Bogen, as Nicholson nodded in agreement.
And with socially-conscious values like that, we have a feeling that regardless of the budget, the couple will have one special wedding. How's that for starting off on the right foot?By Kathy Ehrich Dowd | Friday, January 22, 2010 11:54 AM ET
A Minnesota couple... more
For my birthday, I've decided to give up my time and energy to encourage people to donate to Haitian earthquake relief. I don't have the right skill set to help the people of Haiti directly, but I can use my skills to raise money and awareness for what's happening.
What this means is that for every person that donates, I am donating to them an equal amount of time, sweat and knowledge. So far I will be doing everything from jewelry photography to recording a wedding video.
Overall, the response has been phenomenal, however the amount of need is far higher. I started out with a goal of $1,000 and surpassed it in hours. My goal now is $10,000 and I am 3/4 of the way there.
I'm hoping everyone at Current can help me spread my message to people they know and inspire people to contribute.
You can go to my website http://billysbirthday.tumblr.com to read about progress and learn more about my mission.For my birthday, I've decided to give up my time and energy to encourage people... more
Internet hemp product shopping portal, TheHempCloud.com announced earlier this week that they will be donating 100% of their revenue generated in the month of January toward s Haiti relief.
All revenue generated through purchases linked to from the site, through ads, or even by signing up for green web hosting, will be tallied on February 1st and rounded up to the nearest $10. The resulting amount will be donated to the Red Cross's txt number 90999, for the total amount.
TheHempCloud believes that hemp should be used to relieve countries in need, both directly and indirectly. Hemp could be used to rebuild building and homes, feed the hungry, and as temporary medicine.Internet hemp product shopping portal, TheHempCloud.com announced earlier this week... more
Once week on, survivors of the Haitian Earthquake are still facing aftershocks. Roits and lootings are widespread, as are warnings of malnourishment and health problems. International nonprofits are struggling against the chaos to get relief to those affected.
ammado has established a special appeal to get help quickly and effectively to those organisations working on the ground in Haiti.
The Haiti Earthquake Appeal is driving donations to 6 international nonprofit organisations working to alleviate the suffering of those affected and to rebuild the local community. The beneficiaries of the appeal are:
- The American Red Cross
- Concern Worldwide
- Oxfam Ireland
- Aktion Deutschland Hilft (The Coalition of German Aid Agencies)
- AGIRE Italian Relief Coalition
- Pompiers Sans Frontières
Donations, from as little as 4 euro, can be made from anywhere in the world, in 32 currencies and using almost any major payment method.
The media coverage depicts a worsening situation each day, the help of everyone is greatly appreciated!
To give to the Fund and get updates on the situation, please go to:
He's an international musician known for topping the charts three decades in a row, but in recent years, the spotlight has been on Bono's efforts to make the world a better place...not through impactful lyrics, but via multiple charities that attempt to alleviate global poverty and illness. Should his efforts be rendered moot due to his allegedly massive carbon footprint? http://www.greenwala.com/profiles/2096-Bob-Kurz/blog/4045-U2-Frontman-BONO-fied-Eco-Champion-Or-CO2-HogHe's an international musician known for topping the charts three decades in a... more
The popularity of pot clubs in the Bay Area has led to a burgeoning crop of medical marijuana millionaires. Call them the ganja riche. Like many of their nouveaux predecessors, they are trying to figure out what to do with their cash. Some are giving to charity, but you will not see any fanfare or buildings named in their honor. Medicinal marijuana
As a year comes to a close, we're taking a look back at the biggest celebrity philanthropists of 2009. You might be surprised who's on the list and the causes they are most passionate about.
