anna’ get the attention of your silver-screen superstar, your prime-time prima donna, your illegally downloaded comedy conquistador? Have you tried tweeting them, posting to their wall, or sending them a letter in the, dare I say it, mail? Of course you have. And have they ever responded? Nope. Yeah, well, famous people are busy. They’re busy creating a show-biz all-you-can-eat buffet to feed your insatiable hunger, and in their precious spare time, they’re reflecting the spotlight onto deserving causes. And that’s your chance to get in there and grab their attention!
How? Sidetrack with me here for a sec: I’ve been thinking that I should do my part and take on a cause. You know, try to do some good, redistribute wealth, yada-yada and all-other-things-benevolent—the thing is, if you’re like me, the individualistic society we live in makes you feel like you can’t just follow other people’s initiatives and go around donating to pre-existing charities. In fact, if celebrities have taught me anything about being famous, it’s that famous people start charities or, at the very least, are the faces of charities whose founders are less lime-lit. So although there’s certainly no lack of causes to choose from, sometimes I feel like I just can’t just do it.
But, the problem is, these causes desperately need you (and me) to jump on board. What they don’t need, are any more small charities to compete with our diminishing 140-character attention span.
Well, I think I’ve found a way to reconcile my North American urge for celebrity attention via social networks with my desire to help people! Philanthropy is gonna’ take off. OK, here’s how it’s gonna’ go down:
1. Pick a celebrity.
2. Find out what charity they embass, emboss, embassa-ade. Whatever.
3. Donate to that charity like an every-day, normal person might, but THEN…
4. Make your donation a tribute gift to said celebrity, AND…
5. Shamelessly share this gift with them on Twitter, FB, G+, a blog, or some other social-medium mouthpiece to let your celebrity of choice know you donated.
Let’s give this social-media-social-change social experiment a try:
1. Mandy Moore (oh, don’t judge me…).
2. Celeb embassador for the UN foundation Nothing But Nets, which sends life-saving mosquito nets to families in the Central African Republic where there are high rates of malaria.
3. I made a “life-saving donation” of $10 in Mandy’s name.
4. “Hey @NothingButNets Here’s my gift to @TheMandyMoore!…”
I don't know Mandy's email - so I'll just post her e-card here and hope she sees it...
Daring you to donate,
E.K.
P.S.
Comment below and let me know how you helped redistribute attention to causes that need it.
Does sailing around the world for a children’s charity count? Angelina Jolie is the primary celebrity head of the organization. Brad P. is from my home town in MO. Been trying to figure out how to get their endorsement. I like the idea of donating in their name. Maybe she’ll want to go for a sail to an SOS Children’s Village?
Oh Lee — You could definitely persuade Angie to join you. I mean, HELLO!? She’d practically adopt the whole village! And yes, sailing the globe totally upstages any and every charitable donation I will ever muster. Hope all is ship shape and following seas!