When I announced that I wanted to help raise funds for the Philippines typhoon victims I knew two things would happen…
- My family would help out
- My friends would help out
Sure enough, they did… and within 24 hours we had raised $500.
Today, less than 2 weeks later, we’re at $2,000. This is fantastic. I want to thank you all for your generous contributions and for spreading the word. Every quarter DID indeed help.
To make things even better, I’ve started to receive donations from people I don’t even know. I’ll tell you their stories below. It seems like each one of them had some sort of tie to the Philippines…
For example, a “Dan” from California donated the other day. I emailed him and asked him why he donated and how he heard about us. Here’s what he said:
Hi Greg I was reading on the web then I saw your story I have relatives in Vigan I know how wonderful the people in the Philippines are and they seem to be neglected by most of the world that I thought the least I can do is donate something I am glad I saw your site and I will tell others Thanks for caring about the Philippines.
Then, after the KVUE broadcast the other night I received several donations from fellow Austinites that I don’t know.
Judy saw our story on KVUE and decided to get involved!
Judy shared that she has friends in the Philippines who she thinks about all the time. She donated both prayers and money.
Here’s what she left on the “Prayer Wall” of our Facebook group:
Just wanted to say I too have friends in the Philippines who were devastated by Typhoon Ondoy. I check the weather everyday there to make sure my dear friend is safe. I donated a little money, I’m sorry it wasn’t more, but everyone there is in my prayers each and every day. Please be safe everyone…
Another “social donor” who discovered us on KVUE is Juan.
I don’t know him personally, but he’s helping the Philippines typhoon victims through his donation and by spreading the word.
I asked him how he found us and why he donated. Here’s what he said:
Well greg I saw your story on KVUE last night. But I really wish I could have donated more, I told all my co-workers about what your doing and I think they wanna help. The reason I choose to donate was just how much I saw that people over there needed basic essential everyday things. I know how fast money adds up when a lot of people pitch in little by little. Good luck with the rest of the project and god bless.
Wow, Juan was right abut how fast donations add up.
Then there’s Joanna, another Austinite who I don’t personally know.
She just got back from SE Asia and fell so much in love with it that she felt compelled to help out.
Joanna found us from the KVUE news prog
Joanna’s one of our “online volunteers” because she’s spreading the word about SocialDonating.org on her Facebook. She also donated money. Here’s what she said:
I just saw your story on KVUE. I was just in SE Asia. While I did not get directly affected by the typhoon, hearing the stories was very moving. Thanks for creating this site! I will definitely donate.
Joanna shared some cool photos with me from her travels around SE Asia. She actually didn’t even make it to the Philippines but was so moved by the other Asian countries that she wanted to get involved.
Thank you everyone and please keep spreading the word… the stories above are a testament that our efforts are indeed working.
-Greg
P.S. I really hope to have some relief updates to you all soon. We’ve got so many donor stories, it’d be nice to hear how your donations are helping. I’m working on this and will get you updates as soon as I have them. Thanks again everyone!
