One of SocialVibe’s favorite charitable celebrities, Daniel Radcliffe, was interviewed by Parade Magazine this month and talked about his involvement with The Trevor Project. Daniel has been a great role model for celebrities participating in philanthropic work, and he had some wise things to say about the obligation to help those less fortunate:
“I think that any free-thinking person who becomes very wealthy and has strong opinions on things would get involved with something like The Trevor Project or scholarships for schools or whatever. Fame is very useful in directing attention toward those things.”
“You know, the fact that I wake up in my lovely apartment in New York and get to stroll down here and do a couple of shows, and there is somebody in some country waking up wondering where he’s going to live that week—it’s a horrendous feeling. There is a sense that you have to do something. I feel Brad Pitt would agree that the way to help is to really get behind things that you’re passionate about, like The Trevor Project. You have to give back.”
We think he nailed it! More celebs should follow his example and use their wealth and fame for the benefit of others.
As a girl with Nebraskan heritage and a love of red meat, I’m really excited to share this opportunity with you all!
Until February 27th, 2012, Omaha Steaks is offering an app on their Facebook page called the Ultimate Burger Experience. From a list of 50 ingredients, you get to build an epic, delicious (though sadly, virtual) burger, then donate it to the charity of your choice!
Did you know that January is National Blood Donor Month? Every year, nearly 10 million people donate blood, and this month the American Red Cross encourages you to be one of them!
Yes, needles can be scary, but unfortunately January is the most difficult time for blood donation. It’s cold, it’s dark, and people who may otherwise plan on donating struggle to make their appointments. That’s why we’re encouraging you to give one of the greatest gifts you can: life.
Every two seconds, someone is in need of donated blood, and 38,000 donations are necessary each day to keep up with the demand. One pint of blood, the average donation, can save up to three lives. In only approximately an hour and fifteen minutes, you can truly make a huge difference.
Donating is safe, simple, and rewarding. Check out this link for information on eligibility and donating in your area.
Summer has finally arrived! You can't help but think about the beach when you think about summer, but beaches are pretty important year 'round.
Rivers, oceans, and beaches are more than a fundamental part of our summer experiences; they represent a vital eco-system that affects everything from sea life to or our economic well being.
We all know there are plenty of threats to beaches, oceans, and sea-life, but it's not always clear how things like pollution affect us and what we can do to help, aside from the obvious like not littering. Thankfully, organizations like Heal the Bay are here to help.
Here are a few simple things you can do to help keep our oceans healthy and clean:
- Don't clean or garden with harsh chemicals. The cleaning products we use end up in our oceans. If you garden or wash your car with these products, chances are they're going into the ocean without being filtered. Making your own cleaning products with ingredients like baking soda and lemon are healthier for your family, cheaper and better for the environment. Learn how here.
- Of course you don't litter, but make sure your friends, family and others don't either. Whenever you get the chance, teach kids about why it's important to never litter.
- Learn about volunteer opportunities like beach clean-ups, and recruit friends and family to join you.
- Reduce urban run-off by conserving water. Faucets off while you brush!
- Purchase items from buythebay.org. All proceeds from each item support Heal the Bay projects!
It's difficult to believe that genocide can take place today. Tens or hundreds of thousands of men, women and children being systematically killed? Impossible. Someone would surely stop it before things escalated to that… wouldn't they?
Since 2003, rebels and government forces in the Darfur region of Sudan have killed hundreds of thousands, kidnapped, murdered, maimed, and raped citizens, poisoned wells, burned entire villages, and displaced more than 3 million people.
Being a refugee does not mean you've escaped and are out of harm's way. Roughly 80% of deaths in Darfur have been among displaced people, most as a result of unsanitary living conditions.
The documentary, The Last Survivor examines the idea of genocide in the 21st century. It tells the story of survivors of four different genocides: the Holocaust, Darfur, Rwanda, and the Congo.
We've all heard the line:
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
In each case of genocide, thousands died before anyone stepped in. The Last Survivor takes a look at how we face similar issues today.
In honor of World Refugee Day, make this the next movie you watch. It's been winning award after award at film festivals, but you can watch it online for free here.
Don't have time to watch today? Plan another night to watch with friends or family. There's plenty you can do right now. It takes less than a minute to sign this petition, urging Congress to support laws and actions that prevent genocide.
In 1994, more than 800,000 people were killed in Rwanda as the rest of the world stood by. President Clinton later said that he regretted not sending the 5,000 peacekeepers requested and lamented that that single action could have saved 500,000 lives.
After signing the petition, complete a short activity in support of one of the following organizations on SocialVibe, working to support peace and human rights around the world:
Invisible Children works to educate rescued child soldiers and stop the LRA. More about the LRA here.
The American Red Cross works around the world, providing medical supplies, skilled response workers, and financial assistance to communities in crisis.
The Censorship Research Center provides uncensored Internet access to oppressed people, while protecting their identities.
Founder of Stand up To Cancer and producer of movies like Spiderman, Pretty Woman, and As Good As It Gets, Laura Ziskin, lost her seven year battle with breast cancer this past weekend.
Even as her own cancer spread, she never lost her will to fight, or her faith that we can and will cure cancer.
"The truth is cancer doesn't care who you are, where you come from, how much money you have, and how famous you are. You can't run from it. But you can fight it. And, we are confident, one day, we as a people will conquer it. Twelve million cancer survivors are living proof we can change the odds against this disease."
A year after being diagnosed, Laura used her influence in Hollywood, along with her will to survive, to launch the largest, strongest fight against cancer that the world had ever seen.
Since 2008, Stand Up To Cancer has raised more than $200 million to fund research, help scientists from different institutions work together, and get the resulting treatments and cures to patients as fast as possible.
Laura will certainly be missed, but her legacy lives on, and her dream of making every cancer patient a survivor is something that we will all continue to fight for.
Once upon a time, we lived in a world where no one expected the companies that sold them soap, shoes or snacks to also help cure diseases, feed the hungry, and protect animal habitats. Sure you'd find the occasional donation can at a cash register, but for the most part, bettering the world was not something you looked to do while shopping or encountering ads.
All of that is rapidly changing. Welcome to the "We First" world - one where people are more socially aware than ever, and companies are pulling their weight in innovative ways to create positive change around the world.
In his new book, We First: How Brands and Consumers Use Social Media to Build a Better World, Simon Mainwaring (@simonmainwaring) discusses the connection among social media, brands, charities, and everyday people. He points to SocialVibe as an example of the power of spreading messages on social media and talks about the incredible movement from a "me" world to a "we" world.
We're so honored to be a part of the "we" movement and thrilled to be included in this inspiring book.
Below, SocialVibe CEO, Jay Samit, sums up "the power of all of us."
"Just a few minutes a day…a click here…a post there…can inspire millions to give back to those in need. On average, SocialVibe users share brand campaigns with 170 of their friends and our members, their friends, and our advertisers continue to use social media for social good each day."
We've had the honor of working with hundreds of your favorite brands that want to make a difference. From uploading images of light to fund solar energy projects through GE, to making virtual beds through Marriott to fund disaster relief efforts, we've been able to help offer actions that highlight the work of both brands and charities – and we couldn't have done it without you.
What are some of your favorite socially responsible brands? Share them in the comment section!
Although gifts are a part of getting married, most of us would agree that Prince William and Kate Middleton are more than capable of buying their own flatware and small appliances. It seems they agree. So what are they asking for?
In anticipation of gifts from well-wishers that accompany any royal wedding, the couple has created The Royal Wedding Charity Fund and are asking that anyone who wishes to send a gift make a donation instead.
The couple handpicked 26 charities, focusing on causes that are important to them. They intentionally avoided organizations already supported by the monarchy and included several small, lesser-known organizations within the UK and around the world that they feel will benefit from the exposure.
From anti-bullying programs, and mental health support for Veterans, to saving wild Sumatran tigers from extinction, there is a cause for everyone. Donors can choose a specific cause or category, or make a blanket donation that will be sent where it's most needed.
More than 750 million people watched Charles and Diana's Wedding nearly 30 years ago, and thousands sent gifts. If even a portion of that support is shown this year, Kate and William's wedding fund can have an enormous impact on these worthwhile causes.
