It continues to amaze me when I see how much social media is impacting the world that we live in. The devastating earthquake that recently hit Haiti has once again thrown social media into the spotlight for it’s ability to rally the masses when disaster strikes.  There have been many amazing news stories about how new media (Twitter, Facebook & Mobile in particular) have played a major role in fundraising efforts. Here are a few of these stories:

• Twitter Grows Up in Wake of Aftermath of Haiti Earthquake – The Twitter account for the Red Cross, which on average had been adding roughly 50-100 followers a day before the Haiti quake, has gained more than 10,000 followers since.
• Haiti Earthquake: Twitter Photos Sweep Across the Web – Photos taken by journalist @CarelPedre on his mobile phone are providing a glimpse into the devastation that has slammed the Caribbean nation. Another Twitter user, @MarvinAdy, shared those pictures through TwitPic (), resulting in tens of thousands of views and countless retweets.
• Twitter Used to Help Land Plane With Aid for Haiti Earthquake Victims – Twitter, the messaging service often used by the self-absorbed to update the world on their breakfast choices, may have actually saved lives in Haiti Sunday.

YYC4Haiti Fundraiser

Closer to home, the effect of social media can be seen in the overwhelming support that has been shown for YYC4Haiti, a Calgary fundraiser for the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Relief (organized by @alex_ruiz @C_DIG & @that_angela and supported by a number of great volunteers).  The event, which will be held on Thursday, January 28th at Flames Central has mobilized the city’s social-media and business community to raise funds for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. (Check out the official press release)  All of the Calgary sports teams, including the Flames, Stampeders, Roughnecks and Hitmen have shown their support through donations to the silent auction and many businesses have also stepped up for a good cause.

To hear more about the event from one of the organizers, listen to Camilla Di Giuseppe’s recent interview w/ Rob Breakenridge on AM770 Radio:

YYC4Haiti interview on AM770 Radio

I can’t remember where I heard this term, but “One person may not be able to help a thousand people, but, thousands of people can help one person each!”  We are all fortunate to live in a great country like Canada, so, let’s all do what we can to give back a little!

How You Can Help

Follow the official YYC4Haiti Twitter account: http://twitter.com/yyc4haiti/

Add a Twibbon to your Twitter profile: http://twibbon.com/join/YYC4Haiti

Join the official YYC4Haiti Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/YYC4Haiti/405051695230

Donate to the cause on Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/433271

RSVP for the YYC4Haiti Event @FlamesCentral: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=294505628046&ref=mf

And, if you are attending the event, keep an eye on Alex Ruiz…..rumor is she’s got her eye on the PEZ basket: http://twitter.com/alex_ruiz/statuses/7966276701

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