HopeMob: Concentrated Community Action Using the Power of the Internet
Social media and crowdsourcing have been all the rage for the last few years. We crowdsource Kickstarter projects, we use social media to show people we may only somewhat know pictures of our cat and kids. But what if we used those technologies and ideas to help people in need? That's exactly what HopeMob is.
HopeMob was founded by Shaun King, Dave Gibbons, Sam Oh, and Chad Kellough as a way to use the power of the internet to bring awareness to stories of need and support them on a mass scale. They focus on one story at a time to make a very big impact quickly. They've helped people who've had a diverse set of challenges. From victims of human trafficking to cancer patients to homeless families. The stories can range in need from $1,000 to $25,000 or more. The great thing is, people all over the world who've never met each other are working to make sure these requests are met.
This kind of altruism is what the internet needs. People can sometimes get too wrapped up in the minutiae of social media and forget about the power for change these networks offer. The great thing about HopeMob is that 100% of your donation to the story goes to that person or group. You can also support HopeMob as an organization by donating here.
The last four success stories for HopeMob have been:
- Purchased 100 mattresses for previously homeless families
- Helped a little girl beat cancer for a third time
- Networked to support a married couple who are disabled veterans
- Purchased a reliable used car for a mother and daughter
Some of these things could seem like small items to you and me. We sometimes take things like transportation, good health, and a comfortable bed to sleep in for granted. But these actions not only help those involved in the story, they can inspire people to make a change in their own lives and help to change the lives of others. The simple act of one person as part of a group can have a cascading effect and inspire other action, and I think that's the real point of HopeMob. You may be initially helping only one story, but the impact of that assistance will ripple to others and continue long after the story has been told. Rather than tracking a faux celebrity's every Twitter move, why not use Twitter to move people? Let's add to the mob. I've set up a Positive Spin profile with the aim to submit stories and help boost stories. Sign up at HopeMob today.