The campaign, called Fair Tweets, calls for tweeters to donate their unused characters per tweet. In simpler terms, when a tweet falls short of 140 characters, you allow Fair Tweets to append their message in order to raise awareness about Fair Trade.

The problem I had is that the average Twitter user would be confused. Learning about what Fair Trade actually is (to decide if you want to jump on the bandwagon) requires some reading. Unfortunately, the textual content of the campaign isn’t written to immediately inspire someone to take action, because first you have to explain what “donating unused characters” actually means.

I eventually found this video, which explains it all in just one minute:

Can’t see the video? Launch it via YouTube.

That being said (and shown), I have to wonder how one determines the best methods for raising awareness for great causes. There are many ways to get the word out, but which ones garner the greatest response? And, how fine (or thick) is the line between being entertaining (like last year’s “What color bra are you wearing?” campaign, which, in my opinion, did little to raise awareness about breast cancer) and actually teaching people. Campaigns need to inspire people to spread the word, but also insprie them to take real action.

Have you developed a successful awareness campaign? Is there a particular campaign that stands out?

Share below…

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2011/05/09.
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My husband and I, with materials donation from my company, spent the day at Pine Lakes Country Club’s Annual Day of Sharing for Candlelighters’ Families and Friends. It was a Saturday jam-packed with food, games, arts and crafts, golf, fishing, tennis, shuffle board, face painting and even motorcylce rides with the Blue Knights. To top it all off, Ronald McDonald made a special appearance.

Ronald McDonald hangs out with the kids at Day of Sharing, 2010. Photo by Pamela Hazelton

Joe and I ran the Button Station, whereas kids and parents could have their pictures taken and made into a 2-1/4″ pin-backed button. This was our third year shooting, printing and pressing on-the-fly, and we wouldn’t trade a day like this for anything. The kids just love having pictures taken with their siblings and friends, and they promptly wore the buttons, then  rounded up more friends and came back for more. Parents alike wanted buttons sporting their children, and a few moms held up purses donning the pins they had made previous years.

Day of Sharing, 2009

No limits were imposed – anyone could have as many pictures taken and buttons as they wanted, and at the end of the day, long after the last kids left, we were still printing and pressing. Fortunately, the awesome lady behind the Southwest Florida Candlelighters was able to take the rest home to deliver to families at future events.

There’s good reason we participate in this Day of Sharing. First, and foremost, we think it’s our responsibility to find ways to give back. We know that for many of these families, with the extraordinary costs of treatment and, often, one parent staying home, it’s difficult to find the means to take vacations or even go to the fair. For some children, events via Candlelighters are the spotlights. This day is truly about fun! The words cancer or disorder is never spoken this day – not by the Pine Lakes community effort.

As much fun as we always have hanging out with tons of truly remarkable kids, it’s still difficult to know that days like this even need to exist. As long as they do, we want to be a part of them.

© Pamela Hazelton, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Originally published on 2010/04/18.
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