For social media cynics out there, an event taking place today in Toronto and 175 other cities around the world may just change your mind.
Called Twestival, the event uses the social media platform Twitter for social good. Essentially, volunteer organizers from around the world connect via Twitter to mobilize events in their own communities with the same goal of raising funds for Concern Worldwide — a humanitarian organization that provides education programs to some of the world’s poorest people in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean.
“Organizing online and gathering offline allows Twestival to harness the incredible communication power of Twitter to propel participation in real events around the world,” said event founder Amanda Rose.
The first Twestival took place last year and attracted 10,000 donors from around the world, who raised $250,000 for @Charitywater — a non-profit organization that provides safe drinking water to communities in developing countries. In Toronto, 300 people gathered on a yacht at Harbourfront and raised $6,000.
Sarah Prevette, the lead organizer of the Toronto event, which kicks off at 7 p.m. tonight at Tryst Nightclub, says Torontonians have already raised $18,000. Essentially, it’s a big party complete with a DJ and raffles. All proceeds go to Concern Worldwide (@concern).
For more information, go to twestivalto.com. Tickets are $20 at the door.
