Bloggers are now able to raise money for disaster relief just by sharing their stories thanks to TopAlarmSystem.com’s blogging donation program.
Through the Alabama Disaster Relief Blogging Program, TopAlarmSystem.com will donate $25 to Birmingham’s Christian Service Mission for every blog post written about the Alabama tornado disasters from now until March 1. Posts must be at least 400 words and posted somewhere on the web. The blogger must also leave a comment on the program’s website specifying where the piece was posted. The content of the post is completely up to the blogger.
Tyler Moore, marketer for TopAlarmSystem.com and the brains behind the blogging program, said guidelines for content of posts were intentionally left unrestricted.
“We wanted to get people involved,” Moore said. “That is why we’re having people share their thoughts and stories. We figure everyone has a story to tell about where they were or what happened. This is a good way to share it and connect with each other.”
The donations will go to the 41-year-old Christian Service Mission that mobilized thousands of volunteers and supplies in response to both the April 27 and the Jan. 23 tornadoes.
Rachel Callahan, operator of blogger networking site alabamabloggers.com, recommended the Christian Service Mission when Moore got in touch with her.
“I recommended the CS Mission because they have had such a powerful impact on our state. They basically led the entire April 27 rebuilding process,” Callahan said. “Also, I strongly believe in giving locally rather than nationally. There is so much less administrative costs and overhead, and you know that your money is going exactly where you want it to go.”
Mary Grace Melick, community development director for the Christian Service Mission, said this program will help not only financially, but also in recruiting much needed volunteers.
“I think the monetary help for the Christian Service Mission is valuable,” Melick said. “Everything we do costs money, and every dollar we get goes back to Pratt City. So, from a financial perspective, it is really helpful. There is a continued need for volunteers. We need to remind them what good they can do and remind them what it feels like to help people and get them to want to do it again. We want to let people know there is always an opportunity to serve.”
As Melick said, the proceeds from the blogging program will go to the Christian Service Mission’s Pratt City Initiative, a program seeking to build 10 new homes in the area.
“We are not a building organization, but we are a community development organization,” Melick said. “Pratt City has been one the slowest areas to come back. A lot of people have moved out, and they needed a jump-start. We want to generate some excitement, and get people to start thinking that is something going on.”
Callahan said this program will help bloggers fulfill their desire to contribute to the relief efforts.
“Bloggers feel a burden to do something but don’t know what to do to take part,” Callahan said. “This is a great way to raise awareness and support and use our platforms for good.”
To have $25 donated to Christian Service Mission on your behalf, visit TopAlarmSystem.com/alabama-disaster-relief and post a comment with a link to your blog post.
