It Begins With a Voice

There’s a saying that the smallest voices can make the loudest noise. I can’t recall who said it originally, but I know it’s always stuck with me.

It can cover so many things yet the meaning will always be the same – that even those who don’t think they would be heard, can be. It’s true, as well. Think about how a tiny mouse can scare a full-grown elephant, or an ant can carry up to 20 times its own body weight. Small things can make a difference.

In November 2008, I was thinking of the small ways that I could make a bigger difference. On my blog, there’s a page that shows which charities I support, and I wanted to try and do something more this year.

This is where the 12for12k Challenge came to fruition. The concept is simple:

• 12 months
• 12 charities
• $12,000 per charity

The tagline for the project sums up the approach behind it: “changing the world through social media.” Why social media?

Traditional fund-raising has been hit hard by the economy. Admin costs and promotional pushes are costing funds that the charities just can’t afford, and many have to close their doors.

Social media offers an instant connection to supporters within our communities with virtually no overheads – all that’s required is time. Of course, this can be pretty expensive from a personal point of view – but isn’t the end result worth it?

From there, the project took shape pretty quickly. Some truly great people came onboard with their expertise and resources (all for free – we don’t take any admin costs) and 12for12k has grown into a pretty potent cause.

Awareness continues to grow, and last month we raised more than $15,000 to combat child hunger in the US thanks to a charity Tweet-a-Thon organized by Scott Stratten. Which brings us to April.

One of the key factors of 12for12k has always been making long-term change. Short-term donations help but it’s long-term change that is really needed. The Mom It Forward charity project is similar to 12for12k in that it’s all volunteer work, so you know the money is going where it’s needed.

Additionally, by offering the support network to empower women in rural Kenya to support themselves financially through micro-loans and business opportunities, it offers real change in the lives of those who need it. And that’s where the true success of our help comes in.

I know that I speak on behalf of the 12for12k partners and supporters that we’re excited to be working with Mom It Forward in April. There are some great initiatives happening to make it as fun as possible for everyone involved.

We’re but a small amount of people in the bigger picture of what goes on around us. But like the mouse and the ant, the smallest voices can make the loudest noise. Let’s make some real noise together in April.

Danny Brown is the owner of Press Release PR, a boutique agency combining traditional PR and marketing with social media. He provides consultancy services to clients in both the consumer and commercial markets, from small start-ups to Fortune 500 businesses.

He is also founder of the 12for12k Challenge, a unique charity project using social media to change the lives of millions in 2009.

Mom It Forward, in partnership with 12 for 12K, is kicking off 6-weeks of fundraising for moms and by moms (Tuesday, March 31 through Tuesday May 13) and we need your help!

On Saturday, April 18, Mom It Forward and 12 for 12K events will be taking place all over the US, in Canada, and in Australia (see list of locations below) to raise funds and awareness for Yehu Microfinance, BasaBody, and Coast Coconut Farms. The goal? To combat poverty by empowering poor rural entrepreneurs in Kenya to help lift themselves out of poverty through enhanced accessibility to sustainable financial services, business opportunities, and skills training.

Yehu Microfinance, BasaBody, and Coast Coconut Farms work together to achieve this mission. How? First, women secure micro loans from Yehu Microfinance. Next, they purchase a franchise from Coast Coconut Farms, which gives them the materials, skills/business training, and opportunity to run a coconut oil extraction business right from their village. Then, Coast Coconut Farms makes regular village runs to purchase the coconut oil and processes it in its plant. Finally, Coast Coconut Farms exports the oil to the U.S. where volunteers there use the oil to create and sell bath, body, and cooking products—part of the Basa Body and Coast Coconut Farms product lines—returning the proceeds right back to Africa to help more and more women.

How Can You Help?

Our goal is to raise $35,000 for Yehu Microfinance (click here to learn more about donations) and sell $5,000 worth of Basa Body and Coast Coconut Farms product like mint chocolate truffle and cherry soap with coconut oil (shown left) or hand lotion (shown below). Cash donations or product purchases is certainly one way to help and is much appreciated.

We recognize not everyone can donate cash during these tough financial times. Therefore, we have come up with many ways to contribute:

1. Be part of a Moms Helping Moms event planning committee in your area.
2. Volunteer at a Moms Helping Moms event.
3. Donate product or services for the event (the venue, food, raffle items, etc.).
4. Help us publicize it on and offline.
5. Attend the event.
6. If there is not an event listed for your area, consider putting one together. We have a team and materials in place to help with this initiative.

Where Are Events Taking Place?

Mom It Forward and 12 for 12K are working with volunteers within our communities all over the US, Canada, and Australia to support Yehu Microfinance, BasaBody, and Coast Coconut Farms through fundraising efforts. The live events listed below (details to come) are being planned and carried out by amazingly giving teams of volunteers in local areas. The success of these events relies on terrific volunteer involvement and every team is looking for help. If you have time, services, or products you would be willing to donate, please e-mail us at momitforward AT gmail DOT com so we can put you in touch with the team leader in your area.

Note: Hyperlinked cities mean there is a Facebook group already formed for this team. If you are near one of these cities and would like to contribute, please click on the link, join the Facebook team, and let the team know how you’d like to contribute. Thanks!

The United States
Chicago, IL
Dallas/Ft Worth, TX
DC Metro (DC/MD/VA)

Denver

Kansas City, MO

Los Angeles
Milwaukee, WI
Nashville, TN
New York City, NY
Philadelphia, PA
Portland, OR
Raleigh, NC
Salt Lake City, UT
San Diego, CA

Canada
Toronto
Vancouver

Australia
Sydney

If you are interested in participating or having an event in your area, please contact us at momitforward AT gmail DOT com. Thanks for your interest! Together, we can change the world one mom at a time!

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