Can Twitter help raise money for a good cause? $5 Red Cross Twitter Challenge starts now!

Like you, I'm on Twitter and catching up on all my friends and followers. But can Twitter help raise money for a good cause?

Update: Not into Twitter? I've added a $5 challenge on Facebook too - please join here http://www.facebook.com/nealgorman?ref=profile#/event.php?eid=293661790493&ref=mf

Here's the challenge, I'm running the NYC Marathon (see full post below) as part of an official American Red Cross charitable team. There are 15 of us and we each need to raise $2,500. As you know, every little bit helps - that's where the $5 Red Cross Twitter Challenge comes in. Lets prove that a little tweeting can go a long way. If you are on Twitter, play along and when you contribute your $5, please re-tweet (RT) a $5 Red Cross Twitter Challenge mention. Like this:
"RT @nealgorman Can Twitter help raise money for a good cause? $5 Red Cross Twitter Challenge starts now! Details at http://bit.ly/macGc" so we can track it.

If you do a Twitter search you'll see that it's picking up some steam, but we need to turn the RTs into $5 donations to the Red Cross.

Twitter link http://twitter.com/nealgorman.

See Progress here: http://american.redcross.org/goto/ngorman.

Thanks!

I am a Runner for Team Red Cross in the NYC Marathon

I need your help! I have accepted a challenge from the Red Cross to change a life, starting with my own. I have registered to be a Runner for Team Red Cross, one of the charity partners for this year's 2009 ING NYC Marathon.

There is nothing more powerful than the heart of a volunteer, which is what's inspired me to do what I can to help the Red Cross and the over 7,000 volunteers that support the organization. On Sunday, November 1st I'll begin my long journey through the five boroughs of New York Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and the Bronx. I'll be running those 26.2 miles alongside my fellow Red Cross team, including the CEO of the organization Theresa A. Bischoff.

I've committed to raise $2,500 to support my Red Cross's ongoing, vital programs and services. Every day, the Red Cross offers domestic disaster relief. It also provides compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.

I'm reaching out to family and friends like you, to help me reach my fundraising goal. I'm asking for your help to ensure lifesaving courses are always available in our community. I'm asking for those who have suffered by the devastation of a house fire. I'm asking because I know nearly everyone in this community has been touched by Red Cross, directly or indirectly, through services and programs vital to our community.

Please join me by making a gift. Your donation makes a critical difference in the lives of so many. Just follow the links: 

Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://american.redcross.org/site/TR/NYCMarathon/COGPNYGreaterNewYork?px=5807805&pg=personal&fr_id=1221&et=8dPsLdtKWzBXjH1GJxpVbw..&s_tafId=2346

AmeriCorps Alums Service Project - Oct. 17 - Sign up Now

Our next AmeriCorps Alums service project for the NYC area is New York Cares Day (Oct. 17). An AmeriCorps Alums Team has been placed at an awesome school in Brooklyn. Volunteers will be painting hallways and classrooms, painting murals and planting bulbs around the school and it's also a press site—pretty ideal.

Not in the NYC area? The please check the AmeriCorps Alums web site (americorpsalums.org) and find your local chapter. And if you don't see a local chapter, you can start one! Don't see an event to join, you can also host your own service project!
Here is how to sign up for the NYC event:

To sign up for New York Cares Day:

• Visit www.newyorkcaresday.org
• Select "Register Here"
• Choose "Join a Team," and then select "AmeriCorps Alumni" from the drop down menu
• Fill in all of the fields and follow the prompts to complete your registration
• As an AmeriCorps Alum you will receive a discount on the Registration Fee for the event (it's also a fundraiser so we can help New York Cares do all that they do). When you come to the Registration Fee section, please enter the discount code "NYCD008" to receive a $10 discount on the donation to register.

Yours in Service,
Neal

Busy Year Puts Strain on Brooklyn Red Cross Coffers

Change a life. Be a Hero for the Brooklyn American Red Cross.

From News12
Busy Year Puts Strain on Brooklyn Red Cross Coffers

(09/09/09) BROOKLYN - The Brooklyn Red Cross has been struggling to stay afloat amid a tough economy coupled with a series of emergencies that took a toll on its resources.

In the 2009 fiscal year, the Brooklyn Red Cross responded to 864 emergencies at a total cost of $2.9 million. Since the beginning of the 2010 fiscal year in July, the Red Cross has responded to 528 disasters, offering victims food, clothing and shelter.

"I wouldn't say the Red Cross would close, but our funds and services would be severely limited," says Neal Gorman.

Red Cross officials say they will begin a fundraising campaign to help the organization.

If you are a subscriber you can see the full story and video here on the News12 site http://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=235381&position=4&news_type=news.

Please consider helping us by joining our new campaign, We Are The Red Cross - Here In Brooklyn. It's easy and all you need to do is sign up online at  http://american.redcross.org/brooklynheroes.

<<RedCrossHeros.jpg>>

Be Red Cross Ready with your September Preparedness Tips

The American Red Cross in Greater New York is here to help you avoid, prepare for, and cope with emergencies. Please click on the image below to access your September preparedness tips.  Click here to get prepared! http://www.nyredcross.org/page.php/prmID/598

 

I AM AmeriCorps Portrait Project "I serve, therefore, I AM!"

The I AM AmeriCorps Portrait Project is an awareness campaign to recognize the millions of individuals who work to build and strengthen communities through AmeriCorps. There are currently over 600 portraits of alumni, members and supporters. You can help!

IMAGINE a collection of half a million portraits to represent the power of a collection of half a million portraits to represent the power of AmeriCorps.

CONNECT with the AmeriCorps family through photos. with the AmeriCorps family through photos.
SUPPORT the campaign by taking photos holding an “I AM AmeriCorps” sign and post on Facebook.
INFLUENCE Americans to support one of the largest national serviceprograms in the country.

Action Item

Our goal is to build the collection to at least a half a million photos to be a symbol of the power of service. Show your support and post a photo holding an "I AM AmeriCorps" sign.

• Click here </resource/resmgr/miscellaneous/i_am_americorps_sign_alums.pdf> to download and print the sign.
• Join the Facebook group at <http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=70681798962>
• Download and distribute the I AM AmeriCorps postcard. Download here </resource/resmgr/i_am_americorps/i_am_ac_postcard.pdf>

Upload your photo to the Facebook group to officially join the Portrait Project!

Last chance to help Red Cross get double!!

Your Red Cross donation will be matched if you donate today or tomorrow, visit now!

Pretty Please!

http://tinyurl.com/qao4tj