Nadia Jones (center) introducing Haitian artists to Facebook on last year’s trip. Some of these women had never seen the Internet!

Nadia Jones and a group of bloggers are spending their weekend in Haiti, in the second year of the #Bloggers4Haiti trip.

These bloggers are using social media to raise awareness about various programs that have started across Haiti as a result of the January 2010 earthquake. Working with the Artisan Business Network in Haiti, local artisans are provided training and an opportunity to earn sustainable income. The motto, “Trade, not aid,” helps the artisans build their trade rather than simply providing them a one-time financial donation. Artisans learn invoicing and how to grow their clientel as well as basic social media marketing techniques.

Some of the pieces that have been handmade by artisans in Haiti are available for purchase in the U.S. through Macy’s Heart of Haiti campaign. By purchasing a handcrafted masterpiece, you are allowing the Haitian artisans the opportunity to “support their families with dignity and purpose.” The initiative provides a sustainable way for people in Haiti to rebuild their homes, pay for school and provide for their families. Haitian artists are also able to “collaborate with US designers, strengthening artisan associations and inspiring and energizing their communities.” (www.macys.com)

In the first #Bloggers4Haiti trip, bloggers were introduced to artisans, were able to see them work, and to see how these Haitian artisans are able to provide jobs and revenue for their villages. This year, they will revisit some of the artisans they visited last year and check in on their progress. The bloggers will also meet and train a group of Haitian businesswomen.

Together with Be Everywhere, the bloggers will teach local artisans basic social media tools they can use to grow their businesses. Through this unique trip, women and entrepreneurs in the U.S. are able to inspire and empower women and entrepreneurs in Haiti.

Stay tuned for an upcoming video blog straight from Haiti with Nadia Jones and our own Shelton Mercer!

Follow their journey:

Nadia Jones blog – http://www.justicejonesie.com/blog/

Nadia Jones on Twitter: @JusticeJonesie

Heart of Haiti blog: http://heartofhaiti.tumblr.com/

Heart of Haiti on Twitter: @HeartofHaiti

On Tuesday, a $1 million donation to the Red Cross by Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) was reported for tornado relief. Durant followed the donation with a call to his Twitter followers to also support the Red Cross by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help tornado victims.

Tuesday evening, on the live results episode of NBC’s popular show, ‘The Voice,’ Blake Shelton (who is a coach on the show) joined his wife Miranda Lambert (@MirandaLambert) in a special tribute to victims of the tornado. The couple performed Lambert’s hit, “Over You.”

Watch Shelton and Lambert perform “Over You.”

At the end of the show Tuesday, Shelton announced that he is partnering with NBC to organize a benefit concert for tornado victims. Details on the benefit are pending, but Shelton announced it would take place in nearby Oklahoma City.

Another Okie celeb, Toby Keith (@TobyKeithMusic), who is a native of Moore, is also planning a benefit for victims of the massive tornado. Details of Keith’s benefit are also pending, but initial reports are that his concert will be held at the football stadium on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman.

Other stars have reacted to the devastation in Oklahoma by urging their Twitter followers to lend a helping hand to those affected by the disaster.

@Alyssa_Milano: “To search for friends & family or to register yourself as safe from the #Oklahoma tornadoes: http://Safeandwell.org  via @10NewsCha @heykim.”

@IMKristenBell: “I just donated to Oklahoma Tornado Victims Fund via @ryotnews http://www.ryot.org/campaigns/oklahoma-tornado-victims-fund …”

@JessicaBiel: “Twitter friends, pls help the #Oklahoma tornado victims by donating to the Red Cross http://redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999.”

@KatyPerry: “Sending out prayers for the people of Oklahoma tonight. Let’s help, just text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate 10 dollars to those in need.”

@Denise_Richards: Praying for Oklahoma, here’s how to help @RedCross: text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10, or online at http://redcross.org 

If you would like to support the victims of Monday’s storm, here are a few ways you can help:

• Donate to the OK Strong Disaster Relief Fund coordinated by the United Way of Central Oklahoma and the State of Oklahoma. Make your donation online at UnitedWayOKC.org. The fund is set up to help “with the long-term medical, emotional and educational needs of victims of the May 20 tornado in Moor and the May 19 tornado near Shawnee.”
• Text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the American Red Cross.
• Donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund
• Give blood at your local hospital or blood bank.
• Donate frequent flier miles to the Red Cross
  • Delta: email: delta.bids@delta-air.com with your SkyMiles number, the number of miles you’d like to donate and specify the Red Cross as the charity.
  • United: Donate online at United Airlines Donate Your Miles
  • US Airways: Donate online at US Airways Dividend Miles
• Donate to the Samaritan’s Purse Oklahoma Tornado Response relief efforts in Oklahoma online or make a $10 donation by texting “SP” to 80888.
• Make a financial donation online to the Central Oklahoma Humane Society. Donate online here and specify that your donation go to the “OK Humane Disaster Relief Fund.”
• Text “FOOD” to 32333 to give a $10 donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to be updated on various needs and how you can help the people of Oklahoma.

Links

• RedCross
• OKDisasterHelp.com
• DisasterAssistance.gov
• CNN.com/impact

For more on relief efforts in Oklahoma and benefits for the victims of the tornado, read this story.

LaMar Campbell, formerly of the Detroit Lions, has joined with Dancing Stars of Atlanta to fight Alzheimer’s disease. The event is like the popular ABC show, Dancing with the Stars — with a charitable twist. It it’s fourth year, Dancing Stars of Atlanta is an event benefitting the Metro Atlanta Region of the Alzheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter, of which LaMar is an honorary member.

Alzheimer’s disease has been linked to Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which can result from concussions. “[NFL] players are more likely to develop MCI, a form of dementia that can lead directly to Alzheimer’s disease,” said LaMar.

For LaMar, this dance is personal. “Although I do not have a blood family member that has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a lot of my NFL brothers and retired have Alzheimer’s — as a result of too many concussions, or cumulative trauma disorder (CTD). They are my family. This was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.” Two of LaMar’s friends and fellow NFL players, Dave Duersen (Chicago Bears) and Andre Waters (Philadelphia Eagles) suffered from CTD. Both committed suicide.

On June 15, LaMar and his professional dance partner, Michelle Grady, will take to the dance floor in support of Alzheimer’s awareness and research. Those interested in donating to the cause can sponsor a table at the event, purchase tickets, or donate online. Two winners will be named at the end of the event: A People’s Choice winner (dancer who received the most votes) and a donations winner (dancer who raised the most money).

“Dancing Stars of Atlanta not only is a great organization that puts on a spectacular evening of events but it also becomes a melting pot for like minded people to discuss philanthropy and educate each other on the importance of Alzheimer’s awareness and how it has touched each of their lives,” said LaMar.

Help LaMar reach his goal of $10,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. Donate now.

When he’s not training for Dancing Stars of Atlanta, LaMar is host and CEO of Life After the Game, a digital media radio show on Voice America Sports. “Life After the Game is a radio show that explores the inside world of athletes and how they handle their business affairs outside of the interviews and lifestyle that we see in the media. It focuses on athletes in the business world and exposes their intelligence, creativity and success beyond their sport.” (www.lifeafterthegame.com) It is an “online locker room,” where guys can reach out and get help.

“Football is the highest paid temp job you’ll ever have,” said LaMar. “You have to have something to do after football. Everyone needs and deserves a chance to succeed after football.”

Help LaMar with Dancing Stars of Atlanta. Click here to donate.

Follow LaMar Campbell (@LifeAfterTGame) on Twitter
Like Life After The Game on Facebook
Follow @ATLDancingStars on Twitter
Like Dancing Stars of Atlanta on Facebook
Follow @AlzAssociation on Twitter
Like the Alzheimer’s Association on Facebook
Like Azheimer’s Association, Georgia Chapter on Facbook
Follow @AlzGA on Twitter

Women Build provides an opportunity for women from all walks of life to come together and address the severe housing crisis facing millions of women and children around the world. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 16 million children are living in poverty in the United States and nearly 48 percent of the children reside with women as head of the household. Women Build is a way for women to help other women and work together to build a stronger, more stable community.

Women Build was developed in partnership with Lowe’s home improvement stores, which donated $1.75 million to support this year’s initiative/ Over the last five years, nearly 41,000 women have participated in Women Build events across the country and over 275 homes were completed last year alone during the 2012 National Women Build Week. This year, an estimated 10,000 volunteers  will participate nationwide.

Find a Women Build event in your area: http://www.habitat.org/getinv/events/search/national-women-build-week

Follow @WomenBuild on Twitter
Tweet #WomenBuild13
Join the Women Build Week Facebook Group
Follow @Habitat_org on Twitter
Like Habitat for Humanity on Facebook

In the last 33 years, more than 300,000 children around the world who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses and diseases have had their wishes granted by Make-A-Wish. Every 23 minutes, another child with a life-threatening medical condition is granted his or her wish.

On April 1, Make-A-Wish launched the global World Wish Day campaign to celebrate the organization’s anniversary and raise both funds and air miles to make more wishes come true. The campaign ends today.

Make-A-Wish operates in nearly 50 countries around the world, granting wishes and making dreams come true for thousands of kids — all of whom suffer from a life-threatening medical condition.

This year, 10,000 wish kids will travel for a Make-A-Wish experience. You can help make their dreams come true. Before the day ends, visit wish.org/tickets and donate your frequent flier miles or make a cash donation and Make-A-Wish will turn your miles or dollars into an airline ticket for wish kids and their families.

“The creativity of our wish kids and wish granters means air travel has become a critical part of getting wish kids and their families to wish experiences throughout the world,” said David Williams, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “Donating airline miles or dollars will allow us to continue creating thousands of lasting moments for children with life-threatening medical conditions.”

All donations made during the month of April (up to 4.5 million) will be matched by WWE® Superstar John Cena®. United Airlines is also supporting World Wish Day by matching the donations of it’s MileagePlus® members, up to 3 million miles, through April 30.

Donate Air Miles

Donate Dollars

Follow @MakeAWish on Twitter
Like Make-A-Wish on Facebook
Follow @JohnCena on Twitter

Shocking, isn’t it? Almost as shocking as the fact that one child dies every 15 seconds from lack of clean drinking water. No child should die from preventable disease–whether caused by lack of clean water or a disease spread by one mosquito bite.

Thursday, April 25 is World Malaria Day. People across the globe will take part in activities to mark the day–activities that aim at raising awareness about malaria and doing something to end this devastating disease.

Just in time for World Malaria Day, NBA star Stephen Curry and ESPN.com columnist Rick Reilly have pledged special donations to Nothing But Nets. Stephen is donating three life-saving mosquito nets for every three-pointer he makes this season (a record-breaking 272+ threes, or 800+ nets) and Rick is matching every donation up to $20,000. That means for every bed net you send, you are saving twice as many lives! Join Rick and Stephen and protect even more families from deadly malaria!

Learn more about their campaigns in this video:

Donate here.

Stephen and Rick are two of the biggest Champions of Nothing But Nets. Rick Reilly helped launch the Nothing But Nets campaign in 2006 with his column in Sports Illustrated. Nothing But Nets is the UN Foundation’s campaign to fight malaria in Africa. A $10 contribution to the Nothing But Nets campaign goes towards the cost of purchasing a long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed net, distributing it, and educating communities on how to use it. A $10 donation can prevent the spread of malaria in Africa and save a life. (Read more about Nothing But Nets here.)

About Malaria

Malaria is a preventable disease. A simple bed net can prevent infection and halt the spread of the disease. Insecticide-treated bed nets are simple and cost-effective–with proper use they can prevent malaria transmission by up to 90 percent in areas with high coverage rates. Bed nets work in two ways: they stop mosquitoes from biting at night and spreading the disease, and the insecticide on the net kills the mosquitoes when they land, preventing them from flying on to find their next victim. (nothingbutnets.net)

Malaria-carrying mosquitoes are nocturnal and only bite at night. A bed net is hung above the center of a bed or sleeping space so that it completely covers the sleeping person. One bed net can safely last a family for about three years, thanks to a long-lasting insecticide woven into the net fabric. According to the 2011 World Malaria Report, 96 percent of people with access to a bed net, use it. (nothingbutnets.net)

Take a moment this Thursday to spread the world about malaria and how it can be prevented. If you are able, make a donation to send a net to Africa and save a life.

Follow @NothingButNets on Twitter
Like Nothing But Nets on Facebook
Follow @malariaday2013 on Twitter
Like World Malaria Day on Facebook
Tweet #WorldMalariaDay

Earth Day 2013 is more prevalent than ever. Why? According to the Earth Day Network, “This past year marked many climate-change milestones. Arctic sea-ice cover reached a record low in September. The United States experienced its hottest year ever; this after the World Meteorological Organization announced that the first decade of this century was the hottest on record for the entire planet. Public perception of extreme weather events as ‘the new normal’ grew, as unusual super storms rocked the Caribbean, the Philippines and the northeast United States; droughts plagued northern Brazil, Russia, China and two-thirds of United States; exceptional floods inundated Nigeria, Pakistan and parts of China; and more. Meanwhile, international climate change talks stagnated.”

The Earth Day Network is collecting stories and images of people, animals and places affected by climate change — the faces of climate change. On April 22, images will be presented in an interactive mosaic at www.earthday.org/faces and will be shown at Earth Day events around the world.

The goal is to depict the very real impact that climate change is having on people’s lives and to unite thousands of Earth Day events around the world into one call for climate action,” said Franklin Russell, director of Earth Day at Earth Day Network. “The more people who participate, the more of an impact it will have.

You are invited to participate by uploading your photos and stories onto the Earth Day 2013 website: www.earthday.org/2013. Photos can also be posted to Twitter and Instagram, using hashtag #FaceOfClimate or to the Earth Day Network Facebook page: www.facebook.com/earthdaynetwork.

Your photos should display the impacts and solutions of climate change (from the Earth Day Network):

Impacts: How has climate change impacted your life and those around you? Perhaps you captured a photo of an animal whose habitat is threatened by climate change, or a photo of the devastating impacts of a drought or a hurricane in your region.

Solutions: What are you and your peers doing to fight climate change? For example, you can upload a photo of a recycling drive, a tree-planting event, an awareness campaign, or the ways you’re reducing your carbon footprint at home.

If possible, include a face in the picture and hold up a sign that says “The Face of Climate Change.”

In addition to the annual Earth Day Celebration, the Earth Day Network has developed The Canopy Project, a project to plant trees to help communities, especially the world’s impoverished communities. These trees help communities “sustain themselves and their local economies,” reversing the “impacts of land degradation” and providing “food, energy and income…Trees also filter the air and help stave off the effects of climate change.”

Donate to the Canopy Project. For every $1 donated, a tree will be planted.

For more on the global efforts of the Earth Day Network, check out this PSA about the Canopy Project by Jaden Smith:

Follow @EarthDayNetwork on Twitter
Like Earth Day Network on Facebook
Follow Earth Day Network on Pinterest

“I am humbled by the outpouring of support by the business community and individuals who are united in their desire to help; The One Fund Boston will act as a central fund to receive much needed financial support,” said Governor Patrick. “At moments like this, we are one state, one city, and one people.”

The One Fund Boston, established by Gov. Patrick and Mayor Menino, with the help of the business community, was jumpstarted with a $1 million commitment by principal Boston Marathon sponsor, John Hancock. AT&T, Bain Capital and Partners HealthCare, among other firms, have also pledged $1 million. More than 8,500 individual donors have contributed another $500,000 and counting.

“Within an hour, I had calls from business leaders and local philanthropists who, like me, were heartbroken by the impact this hideous tragedy has had on individuals, their families, and friends,” said Mayor Menino. “And they want to do everything they can to help these people physically and psychologically in the future.”

Donors can be assured that the victims of the marathon bombings will receive all donations. Attorney Kenneth Feinberg, expert on victim compensation, has donated his services to design and administer the fund; assuring victims receive as much aid as possible. Following the 9-11 attacks in 2001, Feinberg was appointed by the U.S. attorney general to administer the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. He has also administered the BP oil spill fund following the 2010 BP oil spill in the gulf; the compensation funds following the movie theater shootings in Colorado; and the funds for the Virginia Tech victims.

It has been estimated that many of these victims will have medical bills topping the hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially those victims requiring amputation of limbs. Prosthetics cost tens of thousands of dollars, and many times insurance policies will not cover such costs. Needless to say, these victims need our help.

If you can donate, visit OneFundBoston.org today.

To help promote One Fund Boston, on Wednesday, Twitter donated a promoted trend #OneBoston for the day. Businesses and organizations would normally pay $200,000 to Twitter for the valuable social real estate of a promoted trend. (Read more about Twitter’s donation in this Mashable story.)

Spread the word. Tweet #OneFund.

]]> http://twitchange.com/help-boston-recover-donate-to-oneboston/feed/ 0 http://twitchange.com/un-foundations-global-mom-relay-raising-awareness-and-unlocking-the-potential-of-moms-everywhere/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=un-foundations-global-mom-relay-raising-awareness-and-unlocking-the-potential-of-moms-everywhere http://twitchange.com/un-foundations-global-mom-relay-raising-awareness-and-unlocking-the-potential-of-moms-everywhere/#comments Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:13:16 +0000 Melody Harstine http://twitchange.com/?p=3257 Yesterday, Times Square in New York City lit up with two new public service announcements from Jennifer Lopez and her sister, Lynda Lopez as part of the UN Foundation’s Global Mom Relay.

Global Mom Relay is an initiative to raise awareness and highlight the power of moms to improve the lives and health of women and children around the world. It is a “groundbreaking series of online conversations to share advice, stories, and inspiration about motherhood.” The goal of this online relay is to “connect moms everywhere through the power of social media in support of the United Nation’s Every Woman Every Child movement to help women and children lead healthy lives.

Global Mom Relay partners, participants and top mom-bloggers joined the fun in Times Square yesterday at noon to countdown to the debut of the relay videos on the TOSHIBA VISION Big Screen in Times Square.

Nearly seven million children die every year as a result of preventable diseases, and every two minutes, a woman dies from complications related to pregnancy. Global Mom Relay wants to end unnecessary deaths of women and children and is doing so by allowing women everywhere to raise their voice to improve the lives of women and children.

How it works

Every time you share a Global Mom Relay piece on Facebook, Twitter or Email, or donate $5 or more, Johnson & Johnson and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will donate $5 to one of four initiatives that are helping women and children lead happy, healthy lives.

These initiatives are:

• Girl Up
• Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves
• Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action (MAMA)
• Shot@Life

Watch this Global Mom Relay PSA from Jennifer Lopez

The Global Mom Relay was created by the United Nations Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, BabyCenter, The Huffington Post, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Mom Relay combines the power of moms with the power of social media to raise awareness and raise funds to improve the health and well-being of mothers and children worldwide.

Visit http://www.globalmomrelay.org to learn more and see the calendar of participants in the relay and please see the press release below for more information.

Spread the word and help unlock the potential! Click here to share the daily Global Mom Relay piece on Facebook, Twitter or by Email, and $5 will be donated to support women and children around the globe.

To make a donation and unlock another $5 donation, click here.

Like United Nations Foundation on Facebook
Follow @UNFoundation on Twitter
Tweet #GlobalMom