Published in the November 13, 2012 issue of The Edmonton Sun.
Linda’s social media column can be found every Tuesday in the Edmonton Sun.
Avid Tweeter comes through for good cause
Every day there are millions of tweets posted on Twitter.
Most people pass certain Twitter milestones without much mention.
They reach this many followers, they’ve tweeted this many times, and so on and so forth.
But one Sherwood Park woman saw she was about to reach a Twitter milestone and instead of having it come and go quietly, she decided to use it to help charity, an idea she got from other Twitter users.
“I noticed there are a lot of different people doing stuff on Twitter to help non-profits and help their community and I was inspired,” said Monique MacDonald (@Social_Moi), a small-business owner and avid tweeter from Sherwood Park.
“Then I noticed that my 5,000th tweet wasn’t far and I said, ‘Well ,maybe I can do something.’”
MacDonald came up with an idea to auction off her 5,000th tweet to the highest bidder, with all money raised going towards Youth Empowerment & Support Services (formerly known as the Youth Emergency Shelter Society).
She wasn’t sure what to expect when she began asking for bidders two weeks ago, but says the response far exceeded her expectations.
“Everyone thought it was a great idea. A lot of people were retweeting it left and right,” she said.
Over the course of the auction, MacDonald threw in her 5,025 and 5,075 tweet into the mix as well, meaning whoever had the highest bid in the end, would be able to dictate what those specific tweets would say.
“I will let the winner decide what they are as long as they are appropriate, promoting their business or anything they would like to promote, I will promote it three times.”
Last Friday, Tammy, of Opa! Restaurant in Sherwood Park (@OpaEmeraldHills), won the auction with a bid of $325.
MacDonald says it was much more than what she was expecting to raise and she’s thrilled.
“To tell you the truth I thought it would be fun to get $100,” she said. “I am surprised. I am pleasantly surprised.”
YESS says they’re extremely grateful for having received the social media exposure and the money.
“YESS is extremely appreciative to Monique for her fundraising auction of her 5,000th tweet for our youth,” said Debra Ward with YESS.
“Monies received will be put to good use and we thank her and all the bidders very much.”
MacDonald says it’s always nice to see Twitter users in the Edmonton area helping the community and says she’s glad she got to spread some kindness herself using social media.
“I think it’s all very like-minded, community-oriented people, who love where they live,” she said.
“There are big, big-hearted people here.”
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Some Tweets of the Week
@j_mcgavin: You can’t beat winter here in #Alberta so you might as well enjoy the beauty. Looks like a snow globe out there today. #YEG #Yegsnow
@von_wong: The #yeg snowstorm today brought out wonderful people. Thank you to the 4 or 5 gentlemen pushing cars on the 112 Ave exit off Gretzky Drive.
@Abby_Cadabra: On the LRT & passed a coyote standing in the snow next to the tracks between stadium & coliseum… sometimes I forget how rad this city is. #yeg
@Photo_Therapy: The Old Strathcona Farmers Market is huge, packed with vendors and packed with people. Love it. #OSFM #yeg
@myCHILDish: I feel like I am driving through a Christmas card. #winterwonderland #yeg