Social Media Maven David Armano Used His Network To Raise Over $9,000 in a Few Hours To Help Family In Need

David Armano - another Geek Who Gives!   David has discovered the power of social media for social good and raised over $8,000 through his network to help D a recently divorced wife and mother and victim of physical abuse. Her mortgage went unpaid and she's lost her house.  David and his family provided housing for her and then he reached out to his network for donations using his blog, Twitter, and ChipIn badge to collect the donations.  

And the network responded.  Fast. He raised over $9,000 in a matter of hours.   As you can see in the thank you video above, he was overwhelmed with emotion by the generous response from his network.   

What made the campaign work?  An impressive network, personalization (you could see a photo of the family helped), a compelling and urgent need, and spreading the request quickly via Twitter.   He is a well-known blogger with a large following.  He has a Twitter network of 8,000 followers, but size isn't the reason this spread so quickly. He is also connected to other highly connected social media influencers who helped spread the word.

It's an interesting example of free agent fundraising because the money isn't be raised for a nonprofit.   It does raise some safety and privacy issues given the circumstances.

As someone who has been using their network to raise money for good causes for years using social media, I'm thrilled to see social media gurus do charitable work.   I think that David has probably discovered that it makes him and all who donated feel good.  I am hoping that this is a trend that continues throughout the year! 

More from Jay Goldman

What will we see next?  What will be the next inspiring example of free agents who use social media to raise money for charitable purposes?

Update:

David Armano, Neighbor and Neighborhoods, his reflection on what happened
Helen Walters,  The Collective Powers of Individuals

Comments

[Standtall-The Activist]

This is really an awesome news. Web 2.0 has so many advantages.

A blogger Grahamn Kracker http://nocatsallowed.blogspot.com/ helped me raise 250 USD to neuter my cats using pay pal account on his blog. I was delighted

Another blogger via blogging gave a co-blogger links to get a job to sustain herself through school. She was delighted

I am happy these tools are here to make things work better for us

[Anne]

This is an example of how social networking and the connections we build virtually...are not just more friends or followers - they are and can be genuine human connections - and when one of those connections asks for help - those connections respond with kindness and generosity. It's a beautiful thing...

[Mike]

My God, this gives me hope that we can accomplish our mission as well. I have a bad bad back and need help too. http://helpfixmike.org
I do not have a large social media following, but I am working on it. We are determined. We must fix mike.

Mike