charity

I'm on the board of an incredible charity, charity:water. They raise money to build wells all over the world. There are 1 billion people without access to clean water right now. Shocking, but true.

We've been doing pro bono pr for them over the past few years and I noticed an interesting heartening thing regarding my staff and their desire to support the charity - they were FULL ON into it. We're a super busy office and doing anything pro bono is tough. There were times when I let them know we could pull back from this "account." They would have none of it, and in fact fought to keep that relationship alive.

Recently, one of my top people went on hiatus to the east and on her return was looking for a job. I put her up for a position at the charity and apparently everyone is happy with the fit. Another employee recently left to pursue more philanthropic work. I think it's a trend. And though I hate to see them go, I get it. Today's employee pool is seeing their life differently. Money isn't everything, is it? I do believe it's good to give at the office, even when it means your staff. Lol!  

Today mine is beige and if you look on thousands of Facebook status updates you'll find out what color theirs is too.... I'm talking about bra colors of course. I know, I know it sounds a little perverted, but I promise it’s for a good cause.

If you're like me and have been wondering what all these random colors stated on Facebook mean, let me clear things up for you. To help raise awareness for breast cancer, people are spreading the word by updating their status with the color of their bra. This has quickly become a Facebook craze and at first may be a little confusing. But, now that you are in the know, join in. So I guess the only question left is, what color is yours??

Yes, that's right ladies and gents...according to PopEater some celebs including Britney Spears and P. Diddy are getting paid upwards of $20,000 PER TWEET!!

As a company who uses social media daily to not only promote our business but our clients as well, does this really come as a shock to anyone? I feel it's a genius idea....we all know that in today's society celebrity influence is HUGE with consumers...but I can’t help but wonder, do these celebrities really need this money?? Wouldn't it be great if instead of taking the money for themselves they were obligated to donate it to a charity of their choice?? That would be a win win for all! Who’s with me?!

Source: forbes.com

Since you’re loyal followers, I thought I would give you all a little insider info that we recently got wind of – there’s a new multi-media online community launching on the 17th that is guaranteed to turn you into one savvy lady! With editorial content, style news and reviews, gift giveaways and a webisode series, 24/Savvy is going to be the new go-to destination. Oh and did I forget to mention, that the brains behind this super fun, new site are the team at Brand Building Communications! 

I don’t know about you, but I love all tips and tricks that help me live smarter and more creatively, especially in our economy. This site will have you living savvier by your first visit and, get this, you can even win all the great products they talk about. I used to steer clear from sweepstakes and anything with the words “promotional,” or “giveaways,” but with gifts like diamonds, vacations and great designer duds, you better believe I will be the first to sign up.  
 
Now for my absolute favorite part of the site – it features a webisode series hosted by Kathleen Monteleone (AKA “Elle” from the “Legally Blonde” traveling Broadway production). Each week she and a variety of experts will give a celebrity personality a ‘Savvy Edit’ on their closet, kitchen or playroom, etc., and then all edited items are auctioned off or donated to benefit a charity. I am a huge promoter of charities, so I can personally testify that there is definitely nothing savvier than sharing what you’ve got!

Trust me, you will LOVE everything about this site, and the reason I am telling you about it now is because you will want to be one of the first to join. Only the first 50 to register will win the ‘Savvy Gift’ each week, so all my savvy ladies mark your calendars. 

December 8th marks the auction of a Hollywood icon’s personal effects to benefit charity: Audrey Hepburn. What a lady. She started her career as a ballerina and ended it doing good, charitable work for the world. Of all the actresses in Hollywood she has to be one of the top inspirations for fashion designers. She had a model figure after all and had that lost, faraway look in her eyes. She could wear clothes like a hanger, in a good way. And she was always obliging, especially for her favorite designer Hubert de Givenchy, from his gorgeous dresses to his fabulous hats. Her measurements? 32-22-34 (gosh!) Someone has suggested an upscale department store do a line of apparel inspired by her. I think the only one that could do it and do it right would be Bergdorf Goodman, but don’t quote me. Audrey always said her look was attainable and I suppose it was. Simple black dress, dungarees with a crisp white button down—this was the epitome of her style. Definitely attainable, though without her remarkable figure the look may not translate. 50 percent of the proceeds of the sale will benefit UNICEF, her charity of choice. Perhaps the most intriguing items to be posted for auction are a collection of her personal letters. Sigh, wish I could bid…

At this point, it's clear that social media is here to stay, but instead of asking what social media can do for you, let's consider what you can do with social media.
 
Our first natural instincts are to shamelessly promote ourselves with social media, and if you're in the selling business, you're looking for the best ways to market your product/client. Today we can get the word out quicker than we can get a cab, so this all makes sense. I get it. Recently, I’ve been thinking that maybe we should dedicate a week to doing good with our savvy social media skills. This week, let’s shamelessly promote a great cause to help those less fortunate in our community. And, I know just the cause: A Box of Love from Here’s Life Inner City.
 
Here’s Life Inner City New York is a non-profit organization we work with that is dedicated to helping the poverty stricken members of the inner city. From now until November 11th, they are hosting a campaign to sponsor Boxes of Love. What is a Box of Love? For only $36.71 a box of filled with all the trappings for a Thanksgiving feast is delivered to families in need just in time for Thanksgiving, and each Box of Love feeds a family of six!
 
In the past, this campaign has been wildly successful, but this year they want to make a greater impact – they want to reach 7,000 families. Seven thousand families means reaching 42,000 people - people you see everyday on the Subway and walk next to on the street. Just imagine, we could impact the same amount of people that it would take to fill Madison Square Garden twice!
 
So, together let’s use our amazing social media skills and make a difference. Blog about it, tweet about it, become a Facebook fan. Let’s make a difference! Donate a Box of Love today http://bit.ly/gBu8Q.
 

Lots of agencies offer pro-bono services for causes they believe in. Sometimes we do it as a way to promote our businesses by aligning with high profile charities. And I think that’s ultimately a legitimate connection, just so long as the supporter is really doing something for the cause and not just using them. A few years ago we started supporting charity:water. The people who ran/run our luxury business were very clued in to what this charity was doing—supplying clean water to people who had none—and really wanted to help. We are a growing company and the use of our resources is somewhat limited at times. Certainly, limited to paying clients. But the team was ADAMANT that we support this cause. So, I agreed. Well, guess what? Our involvement hasn’t affected our workflow AND it’s made everyone feel a bit better about their day.

It’s an amazing thing what giving back can do. It can give back to YOU. The team is energized around the work they are doing and feel that the contribution is making a difference. We all like the idea of giving money, but giving valuable time (that can ultimately help raise money for the cause) is just as important. So if you are contemplating using your business for a cause, go for it. It’s worth the effort and it might just help change the world (just a little…)

We do pro bono pr work for charity: water. They are an INCREDIBLE charity that raises money to build wells for people that don’t have safe drinking water. PLEASE check out their site. It will give you something to think about and do…

I’m a BIG fan of doing pro bono work for a variety of reasons, but the main reason is that giving creates a flow that can’t be denied. Someone I know and trust says: “If it can flow through you, it can flow to you.” I personally give about 30% of what I make to charity, but that’s another story. From a business perspective giving really is the way to go. Yes, you can give money, but you can also give something that may even be more valuable, your expertise. I say: Do it.

In the process of working with Scott Harrison the founder and chairman of charity:water I have learned much about people in need and how just a little bit of help can go a long way to change lives. But as a professional I’ve also learned a lot from his innovative approach to fundraising. He’s a young man that has leveraged tools that appeal to young people (social media). I think he’s doing it better than anyone else out there. He certainly has gained the interest and respect of Google, Twitter and Facebook. There’s so much I’ve learned and I wouldn’t have had this opportunity if we weren’t willing to do it pro bono. So go for it, find something you believe in and show up to help. They’ll love to have you!

Source: www.charitywater.org