I have always believed that technology is something that can be used for great good, and this latest development from Infospace is the perfect example. Infospace is based in Bellevue, WA, and is an Internet search provider. In line with their business, the company has launched a new search engine which focuses specifically on charities!
Dubbed Do Great Good, the web site’s URL is www. DoGreatGood.com. So how does the search engine help charities? In fact, the new search engine compiles search results from Google, Yahoo, Bing, and Ask. Half of the revenue generated by the search engine then goes to charity.
Here’s “how it works” from the web site itself:
Like other search engines, Do Great Good makes money when you search the Web on our site. And only Do Great Good lets you support causes you care about at no cost to you by donating half of that money to charity! The more you search, the more you help. It’s that simple!
I have to admit that I am a slave to Google. I can’t even use Yahoo to search because I am not satisfied with the results. Plus, I am so used to seeing the interface of Google that it just doesn’t seem right if I don’t use it. Then again, I think I just might try using Do Great Good for a bit, if only for the charities that will benefit. Also, it might actually give me more varied results since it compiles results from several search engines.
What say you?
Categories: Campaigns, Charities, Fundraising, Websites
The average blogger I know has not made it big time like those high profile probloggers we all hear and read about. Truth be told, not everyone has goals of reaching that status; many blogger friends that I have are content with how their blogs are faring. And while they are not making big bucks with their blogs, they do find ways to spread their blessings around.
One idea a friend alerted me to is this new widget from SocialVibe, which offers bloggers a chance to help a specific charity. Bloggers who use the WordPress platform can sign up for this widget and configure it to benefit a charity. Here are the specifics from Media Post:
As a result, WordPress bloggers can now sign up for a SocialVibe widget, choose a specific charity and corresponding brand sponsor, and then embed the ad unit in their blog to start earning micro-donations from the brand once readers interact with the sponsored units.
It’s much like ads but instead of merely earning money for your blog, the benefits go to the charity you choose. And what kind of “interaction” from the readers is needed? This part I like: people can go watch a video and rate it – that sort of thing. It is not merely clicking on a link for the sake of clicking. Another nice thing about the widget is that it keeps track of your “donations.” For example, you can see a line like “My blog has donated so and so number of books to students in need.”
Categories: Campaigns, Charities, Ideas, Organizations, Science & Tech, Websites
Have you been watching American Idol? I have to be honest and say that I got hooked this season. I had never watched this show before, as I rarely watch TV anyway. I don’t know how it came about but I remember flipping through the channels one weekend many months ago and I just somehow got stuck on Idol.
Anyhow, my favorite contender was Danny Gokey. I don’t know, but there is something about this guy that screamed “genuine!” Naturally, I did some research on him, to know more about the person. I found out that he is running a charity called Sophia’s Heart Foundation, and I thought that it would be good to give them a shout out.
Sophia is the name of Danny’s late wife, who passed away due to a heart condition. In her 27 years here on earth, she showed a passion for children, emphasizing the need to meet their needs in every aspect possible. Upon her passing, her husband Danny felt the need to continue her work, and thus the charity was born.
Today, Sophia’s Heart Foundation works alongside many other entities in order to help children ages 0 to 18. The people involved in the organization are dedicated to providing various activities and assistance to children. Some of the ways by which you can help:
-Music and arts workshops
-Scholarships
-Provide food, clothing, and shelter
-Provide medical aid to families in need.
If you are interested in helping out, visit Sophia’s Heart Foundation and find out more about them.
Categories: Charities, Children, Websites
Have you gone through your old stuff lately? I have not, really, but after reading this a short announcement on The Belfast Telegraph, I realized that I might be hoarding a treasure trove without really knowing it.
The announcement was about donating your mobile phone and helping certain charities. If you are like some people, you might have several old mobile phones just sitting around at home. This is especially true for those who have a penchant for getting a new gadget every so often.
Think about it, what do you do with your old mobiles when you buy new ones? Personally, I usually give the old ones away. In spite of this, however, I found that I have at least 3 more mobile phones that are unused in my house. Check – you might have the same situation.
In any case, how can you help while getting rid of the technological clutter at home? I did some simple searching on Google and actually found many organizations which accept mobile phone donations. The Charity Guide provides an extensive list of groups which accept mobile phone donations.
In case you are wondering, old cell phones that are donated are used for a variety of reasons. Some of them go to victims of domestic violence so that they can call 911 in emergencies. Some go to senior citizens so that they can also reach help easily when they need it.
So if you have a cell phone or two that you do not use anymore, check out Charity Guide and other resources – you can help in this simple way.
Categories: Elderly, Environmental, Science & Tech, Tips, Websites
People will do crazy things and this is perhaps what many are thinking when Miss Universe Australia, Laura Dundovic, offered herself for a date with the highest bidder via a website. The website is located at http://eswap.co.au. The bidding starts at $1 dollar which commences on August 14 and will run for 10 days. The winning bidder will be having dinner with Ms. Australia at an exclusive restaurant.
Many may call it nothing new although the first thing that we would associate such a move would be in the movies. But today, it is a reality and all for charity. It is not about the distinction of being able to date Miss Australia but about helping for a charitable cause. The proceeds from the auction will be handed over to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
“It’’s a bit exciting to be auctioned off as a date but it’’s been three years since I last went on one, so I have high expectations and am expecting to get swept off my feet,” The Daily Telegraph quoted Dundovic, as saying.
Source
Categories: Activities, Campaigns, Charities, Fundraising, News, Websites, Women | Tags: charity, date, dinner, laura dundovic, miss universe australia, westmead
