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Happy “Tweetsgiving”, Bethesda?

Yes, the title is a quick reference to Twitter.com and Thanksgiving of course!  As this Greater Bethesda area news and information guide is still in its infancy, we have yet to post any articles related to technology. There’ll be much to come in the future — great websites, tools, gadgets, and more to help make your life a little easier.  But today, I wanted to quickly point out the power of social media.

Reported several hours ago, by Mark Hopkins, a prominent technology writer, Epic Change, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is on the precipice of raising $10,000 in 48 hours. (As I am writing this post, Epic Change has just gone over the 75% mark).  And what is Epic Change doing with this money? Building a classroom in Tanzania.   All of this using a website they created called Tweetsgiving.org.  I understand for some of you, this website won’t make much sense and that’s fine 🙂  What is worth “taking home” is behind the programming is a truly “grassroots” fundraiser being held on a virtual platform.

For those of you who don’t use Twitter and are curious, I’ll post diagrams, videos, and tutorials in the future to help get you aquainted.

In the end, however it isn’t about the technology,  it’s about the amazing people behind the technology.  I thought a group like Epic Change deserved the spotlight on this very special day.  Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving…

– Kevin, from GreaterBethesdaOnline.com

Many thanks to the Mark ‘Rizzn’ Hopkins and the brilliant folks at Mashable.com, for your wonderful work.
Source: Tweetsgiving: What are You Thankful For?

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Got Beds, Bethesda?

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Mark Bergel, the founder and director of what was then a relatively new non-profit. Called A Wider Circle, Mark’s dream of creating an association that would help people facing poverty, homelessness and substance abuse has become a recognized success in our community.

Recently, A Wider Circle moved to a new home where there is more space for them to serve local families. According to a recent email from Mark, this move “has also brought us more attention – and the calls for help continue to increase to a point we have never seen before”

One of the items that seem to be especially needed is beds. So, I thought it might be helpful to forward Mark’s appeal. This Sunday, from 10-2, volunteers will be available to accept your donation of beds at their Center 9159-C Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910. In addition, if you have a number of beds that you can accumulate in one place, A Wider Circle will make arrangements to pick them up.

If you don’t have beds, but you can volunteer to drive a truck (especially if you have one to drive!), or to help carry furniture, or if you have money to donate… all would be welcome. As Mark says, “It’s an efficient, grassroots system that means your time volunteering translates directly into better lives for our community’s most vulnerable kids and adults.”

Of course, there are lots of other volunteer opportunities at A Wider Circle, all of which you can find out more about on their website.

Contributing blogger – Gretchen Koitz