Home for the Holidays: Bloggers without Borders

Christmas isn’t just about giving and getting (although we’re so excited to bring your our annual giveaway week) which is why for this year’s Home for the Holidays, we wanted to highlight some great organizations doing amazing things. Specifically, five organizations that are near and dear to our hearts. I hope that after reading this post, you’ll take a minute to browse the other SLM sites and learn a bit about our favorite charities.

I’m so excited to spotlight Bloggers without Borders today as it is an organization that occupies part of my time, much of my thoughts, and all of my heart.

As the Social Media Manager for the non-profit group, I am fortunate to have a first row seat to the ins and outs (as well as ups and downs) of this fledgling and completely big-hearted organization. I wouldn’t change that for the world.

I say ‘fledgling’ only because Bloggers without Borders is still growing its flight feathers. Launched this past summer by founders Maggy Keet and Erika Pineda-Ghanny, this non-profit is busy assembling a board of directors (ahem, recognize one of these faces from SLM on the Board?), building a supportive online community, and waiting for its tax-exempt status from the IRS.

For now, Bloggers without Borders is an online platform that spreads the word about charitable happenings in the blogging community via its website, blog and social media platforms. It is a central point, a hub, a way to connect bloggers who want to help with those who need it.

The incredibly benevolent blogging community has long been using their platforms for good, raising both money and awareness for fellow bloggers and people around the world. With the birth of BwoB, there is finally a way to easily connect the generous, unselfish blogging community with a wide variety of charities, causes and fundraising campaigns.

What are a few examples of BwoB working with the community? Here are just a few.

• It started with raising funds for tornado-stricken areas around Joplin, MO, and Etna, AR.
• They partnered with Texan bloggers to help raise awareness for Texas wildfire relief efforts and spread the word about their bakesale.
• BwoB helped Jackie launch her highly successful Bloggers Unite for Africa campaign.
• With Dine-in Irene they pot-lucked for a GrowNYC Hurricane Fund where 100% of donations went to NY farmers affected by Hurricane Irene.

And much more! I especially appreciate that while Bloggers without Borders can’t guarantee or predict what people will respond to, they do their best to lend their platform to help project organizers reach a wider audience and bring awareness to so many worthy causes that deserve to be heard.

This weekend bloggers will gather in several cities across North America for a cookie swap fundraiser where proceeds will go toward Cookies for Kids Cancer. It’s a sweet example of how bloggers, bakers and cupcake makers are coming together in creative and fun ways to help others. My home will host one of the cookie swaps, so look for that recap coming soon!

There are many ways you can help and get involved with Bloggers without Borders.

1. Follow @bloggerswob on Twitter and tweet the following:

“A blogging community unites to form Bloggers without Borders, a non-profit organization: http://www.bloggerswoborders.org/ #FF @bloggerswob”

2. ‘Like’ our Bloggers without Borders Facebook page and suggest it to ten friends!

3. Donate! Donations will go to current projects or operating costs, etc.

4. Have a blog of your own? Add the BwoB badge to your sidebar. Here is the code to make that simple for you.

<a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9XMUXS4QT2ACA" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6060194134_3a80c98066_o.jpg" border="0" name="submit" alt="Donate to Bloggers Without Borders" width="300"></a>

Thank you!

Learn about the other charities we love:

Tagged as: Bloggers without Borders