Raleigh Joins Worldwide Effort for Clean Water, Social Media Community Throwing Fundraising Party A group of Triangle residents are throwing a party on February
12, 2009 in downtown Raleigh and plan to change the world. Using social media tools like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, these local citizens are joining over 175 cities worldwide to create a one-day fundraising community to provide access to clean water to some of the 1.1 billion people worldwide without clean water. The Raleigh Twestival (http://raleigh.twestival.com), named by combining Twitter, the popular microblogging and network conversation tool with festival, will be held at Edge Office, 400 Glenwood Avenue in downtown Raleigh. The event will raise money for charity:water, an organization that provides access to clean drinking water for developing nations worldwide. 100 percent of all money raised from the event goes directly to charity:water (http://charitywater.org). An example of how every little bit counts is that a $20 donation can provide water for one person in a developing nation for 20 years. This fun social event offers plenty of networking opportunities, complementary food and beverages donated by local businesses, a video booth to send the world a message, music, video games, and a raffle featuring social media and business consulting, web advertising, hand-made jewelry, and gift certificates from local restaurants, and even movie tickets. “We have built a large social networking community here in the Triangle,” said Ryan Boyles, event organizer and software engineer. “We have done a lot to help each through sharing knowledge and technical skills, and it is time to give something back. We are harnessing the power of social media for social change.” Tickets are available online at http://www.amiando.com/twestivalraleigh.html and cost $11.40 in advance. They are $14 the day of the event and $20 at the door. Donations can also be made directly to charity:water (http://www.charitywater.org/twestival/index.html). Select “Raleigh” so the donation counts towards the local total.