The following is part of our series on different ways you can use Facebook to connect with public figures and organizations around the world. Read the previous blog post in this series here.
As Thanksgiving approaches in the U.S., I can't help it: Thanksgiving dinner is on my mind — turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie. Yet even as I'm anticipating my favorite holiday foods, I'm reminded of how many people in the U.S. and around the world are unable to enjoy my favorite treats during the holidays, let alone any kind of meal on a daily basis. It... seems shortsighted to think of them so often during the holiday season yet so rarely during the rest of the year.
Which is why I make an effort to volunteer for some of my favorite local causes, like the San Francisco Food Bank, Bay Area Girls on the Run and the East Bay AIDS Project year round. Now, it's easier than ever to keep up with these organizations through their updates on Facebook well beyond the traditional season of giving.
Giving Back
As a fan of the San Francisco Food Bank Facebook Page, I can easily keep track of all of their upcoming events. For instance, this past weekend, I RSVP'ed for their food drive, "Scouting for Food" led by the San Francisco Boy Scouts. Attendees are reminded to leave contributions on their doorstep the morning of the event for the Boy Scouts to collect. Each time a new event pops up in my News Feed, I'm provided with another opportunity and a reminder to donate my time.
Recruit Your Friends
The Breast Cancer Awareness Facebook Page, encourages me to invite friends to join in the fight against breast cancer. For every friend that I invite through their Pink Ribbon application, I help raise awareness about the cause. I also can monitor the top recruiters through the Pink Ribbon scoreboard. There are so many ways to help, and I can discover new things on their Facebook Page everyday including shopping for gifts or Christmas ornaments, where the proceeds benefit the cause.
Immediate Help During a Crisis
While staying connected year round is important, sometimes effective communication is critical to saving lives or getting people out of harm's way. The American Red Cross uses their Page to quickly share important information during times of crisis. Hours after the tragedy at Fort Hood, where U.S. soldiers were attacked on their own military base, the Red Cross directed people to the "Safe and Well List." From there, friends and family members could check on or report the status of their loved ones. They also used their Page to share requests from local hospitals for blood donations. Through Facebook, I'm able to get updates and information about how I can help directly in my News Feed in real-time.
Learn More
Water.org, a nonprofit that helps provide access to safe water and sanitation in Africa, South Asia and Central America, has written a series of touching and informative notes. One of their more recent entries, "Meet Birhane and Shoba," details the struggles of two people — one from Ethiopia and the other from India — and what they go through everyday to collect water for their families. "Their life is defined by the all-consuming task of collecting enough water for their families to survive another day. Lack of access to water leads to lack of opportunities." Every time a unique and personal note from Water.org is published on Facebook, I'm reminded why I support their cause.
Katie, an associate on Facebook's consumer marketing team, hopes you'll use Facebook to discover a cause close to your heart this holiday season — and continue your support throughout the year.
See MoreAs Thanksgiving approaches in the U.S., I can't help it: Thanksgiving dinner is on my mind — turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie. Yet even as I'm anticipating my favorite holiday foods, I'm reminded of how many people in the U.S. and around the world are unable to enjoy my favorite treats during the holidays, let alone any kind of meal on a daily basis. It... seems shortsighted to think of them so often during the holiday season yet so rarely during the rest of the year.
Which is why I make an effort to volunteer for some of my favorite local causes, like the San Francisco Food Bank, Bay Area Girls on the Run and the East Bay AIDS Project year round. Now, it's easier than ever to keep up with these organizations through their updates on Facebook well beyond the traditional season of giving.
Giving Back
As a fan of the San Francisco Food Bank Facebook Page, I can easily keep track of all of their upcoming events. For instance, this past weekend, I RSVP'ed for their food drive, "Scouting for Food" led by the San Francisco Boy Scouts. Attendees are reminded to leave contributions on their doorstep the morning of the event for the Boy Scouts to collect. Each time a new event pops up in my News Feed, I'm provided with another opportunity and a reminder to donate my time.
Recruit Your FriendsThe Breast Cancer Awareness Facebook Page, encourages me to invite friends to join in the fight against breast cancer. For every friend that I invite through their Pink Ribbon application, I help raise awareness about the cause. I also can monitor the top recruiters through the Pink Ribbon scoreboard. There are so many ways to help, and I can discover new things on their Facebook Page everyday including shopping for gifts or Christmas ornaments, where the proceeds benefit the cause.
Immediate Help During a CrisisWhile staying connected year round is important, sometimes effective communication is critical to saving lives or getting people out of harm's way. The American Red Cross uses their Page to quickly share important information during times of crisis. Hours after the tragedy at Fort Hood, where U.S. soldiers were attacked on their own military base, the Red Cross directed people to the "Safe and Well List." From there, friends and family members could check on or report the status of their loved ones. They also used their Page to share requests from local hospitals for blood donations. Through Facebook, I'm able to get updates and information about how I can help directly in my News Feed in real-time.
Learn MoreWater.org, a nonprofit that helps provide access to safe water and sanitation in Africa, South Asia and Central America, has written a series of touching and informative notes. One of their more recent entries, "Meet Birhane and Shoba," details the struggles of two people — one from Ethiopia and the other from India — and what they go through everyday to collect water for their families. "Their life is defined by the all-consuming task of collecting enough water for their families to survive another day. Lack of access to water leads to lack of opportunities." Every time a unique and personal note from Water.org is published on Facebook, I'm reminded why I support their cause.
Katie, an associate on Facebook's consumer marketing team, hopes you'll use Facebook to discover a cause close to your heart this holiday season — and continue your support throughout the year.