Twittering for Charity: Follow Me

Filed in Off-Topic by Matt McGee on April 30, 2008 13 Comments

Summary: If you follow me on Twitter, you’ll be helping to raise money for a good cause. Please follow me, then come back to read on for more details…..

Twittering for Charity

It’s no secret that I’ve been trying to be the last person on Twitter for some time now. You may also know that Jeff Quipp (of the Toronto-based agency Search Engine People) was also not on Twitter, and has been challenging me to see who could last the longest without joining.

Well, we’ve put out heads together and have decided to sign up, and raise some money in the process. Here’s the scoop:

  1. We’re both putting up $250 for a total of $500 on the line.
  2. We’ve both chosen a charity that we like and want to support.
  3. We’ve both (finally) signed up for Twitter.
  4. Whoever gets 500 followers first is the winner, and all $500 will be donated to that person’s charity.

So, please follow me and help me win while supporting a good cause!!!

My Charity: African Well Fund

It’s not right that there are legions of people in Africa who don’t have access to clean water — something I can walk into my kitchen and get in unlimited supplies. In parts of Africa, people have to walk miles to find a water source, and when they do, that water source is often shared with animals. They bring the water home and have to let it sit so that the waste and dirt separates, and it’s still not as clean as what we take for granted everyday.

The African Well Fund is trying to make this right by bringing clean water to parts of Africa where it doesn’t exist. Building wells saves lives and is relatively inexpensive — to the point that individuals donations really do make a difference. In fact, since forming in 2002, the AWF has helped bring water to 121 sites serving more than 113,000 people. Every dollar donated goes to build wells; none is used for overhead.

If you’d like to learn more, here’s a short video (less than 2 minutes) that explains what the AWF does.

Call to Action!

Click here to follow me on Twitter!

Whether you’re doing it for the charity angle, or just because you want to follow me on Twitter, I thank you in advance for your support. If you want to follow Jeff, too, that’s cool. It’s money for a good cause, either way.

Comments (13)

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  1. willscott says:

    Matt,

    What a great idea!

    I’ll match the winner’s $250.00 (even if it’s not you) 🙂

    Will

  2. Matt, kudos to you! This is a wonderful thing you’re doing. Way to turn a seemingly flippant “Western” media tool into a fun game for a good cause. Charities like the Africa Well Fund hold a special place in my heart; I’ve seen the difference they can make.
    Best of luck to you both, but you know I’m already “behind” ya. 🙂

  3. John Lessnau says:

    Great idea. I have been trying to increase my followers the slow and steady way, by doing interesting tweets. I get a few new followers each day but nothing like you guys will get with this promotion.

    While unlikely, what happens if neither of you hit the mark?

  4. Matt McGee says:

    Will – that is AWESOME! Thank you SO MUCH for chipping in and upping the ante. Li Evans did as well on her blog. Very, very cool.

    Rachel – thank you very much!

    John — thank you, too! I’d like to think one of us will reach 500 SOME DAY. 🙂

  5. RKF says:

    I’m voting for Matt, simply because a company in Ajax, ON is NOT Toronto-based, however much the 905-ers wish they were 🙂 (Sorry, Jeff!)

  6. Will Scott says:

    Hey, you’re at 502

  7. Sam says:

    I’m trying to raise $1,000,000 for a Global Cause on Twitter. It might be a pretty hard task but if we get enough followers than business sponsors will get enough coverage to justify making a donation. Follow me at twitter.com/twittacause. Cheers.

  8. Cabe says:

    I don’t have a Twitter but I have been thinking of getting one and if there are things like this out there then I just might have to. It would be a great way to keep up on things and help others like you and the charity. Thanks for sharing!

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