Using social media for social good

Inarguably, social media is now a part of every person’s life. With more than 500 million people on Facebook, more than 200 million on Twitter and millions more in other social networking sites, it’s natural to deduce that social media is truly powerful - one that can either make or break something and one that can either be used for bad or good. Of course, we prefer the latter. On the other hand, social media is also a form of power of its own. Apart from the fact that it can be used to quickly and easily send information, it can empower people as well. It can urge someone to do something and it can inspire someone to start something. Yes, social media can also be used for social good.

Take the case of Wheel2Wheel. An independent non-profit organization created by Morgan Parker to raise awareness and provide financial assistance to brilliant yet under-recognized charitable orgs throughout Australasia, Wheel2Wheel launched on March 1, 2011 an entirely self funded adventure that’s set to cover 20,000 kilometers throughout 10 countries. The good news: Wheel2Wheel will send all donations to 10 charities representing the 10 countries. Better news: PRDA Asia, a social media agency in Hong Kong, has made it easier for Wheel2Wheel to make their project known through social media. They managed the project and saw to it that it got favorable exposure in the social media world. Result: word spread not only about the 100-day project but of the organization as well and donations for the charities have been on constant influx.


Another great sample of social media being used for social good is the Earth OK Hong Kong. Earth OK is a series of community investment programs on youth, education as well as environment sustainability. With the help of social media, Earth OK successfully encouraged people to plant trees, among other voluntary works, and empowered people to continue to be socially responsible.


Now that’s the power of social media.

www.wheel2wheel.tv
www.facebook.com/wheel2wheel
www.twitter.com/wheel2wheelteam
www.youtube.com/wheel2wheelchannel http://www.facebook.com/LovetheEarthPlantaTree http://www.facebook.com/Earth.OK.global http://www.facebook.com/EarthOK.hk
http://weibo.com/clpgreenpark