Philadelphia's Magic Garden Dazzles South Street

I had the pleasure of attending the kickoff of a new local charity called

Image by reeltor99 via Flickr

Making a Progressive Philadelphia (MAPP) - the name is quite a mouthful, but its acronym is also the last name of the founder Brett Mapp. The organization wants to raise money so that they may give micro-grants to worthy organizations in the city that have financial needs too small to be addressed by most grant giving organizations. I don;t know Brett well, and was there because I was invited by my social media buddy Gloria Bell who is very active with non-profits in Philadelphia. Though I am intrgued by the organization's stated goal, and they seem like really nice people, I really don't know much about them, so you can check out the organization later if you wish to get involved with them.

What I will say though is that Brett and company really know how to choose a venue! Their event was held at Philadelphia's Magic Garden on South Street, a building and a lot that has been converted to an amazing work of art. The artist is Isaiah Zagar a 7- year old artist who has this to say about his work;

It is an impossible place, but strangely you can visit it and smile at that which you knew existed somewhere. Now you know that place is in Philadelphia, and you knew it all along, didn't you?

I have to admit , I didn't know that such a place existed, but I certainly hoped it did...and I'm really pleased that it does exist here so that we can all experience his vision,

Philadelphia Social Media Bowls Over Charity

I don't usually write about social media on this blog. I reserve it for my Blog at the Social Media Marketing Institute, or BuzzBuilderz, or REreflections. But people in Philadelphia are working hard to make things in our city better and they're using social media accomplish these changes.

Local Social Media personalities like Gloria Bell of Red Stapler Consulting worked hard to hold a local event at Lucky Strike Lanes on Chestnut Street called Twestival Philadelphia. This event was only one of a number of events held around the world , all to benefit local charities.

A Twestival or Twitter-Festival is a global series of events organized by volunteers around the world under short timescales, which bring people offline for a great cause. Twestival is run 100% by volunteers and independently from any not-for-profit; although the organizing teams do work closely to outline an achievable and measurable fundraising target.

In Philadelphia volunteers sold tickets and sponsors donated raffle prizes all to benefit Gift of Life Family House, The house is a non-profit organization that provides temporary lodging and supportive services to transplant patients and families seeking transplant treatment at Philadelphia transplant centers. During the event members of the organization, and even individuals who had received the gift of transplants participated together to make our community stronger.

As of last week local Twestivals had raised $233,960 and that does not include 40+ cities whose tallies are still not collected. Congratulations to all of those who donated time or prizes for all of these worthy causes, who proved that twitter, and facebook, and the people who populate them are more then a passing fad, and that social media has a place in the communities of the city of brotherly love.