My head has simply been buried in work lately and to be honest it will be for at least another month. I’m not complaining, this is exactly what I wanted when I made this leap, but I have noticed that I’m missing a lot of the conversations that are happening “outside”. These days when I wake up I read all my RSS Feeds, Twitter a bit, maybe check Facebook, rarely check FriendFeed (I just don’t get it to be honest, but definitely read Bryan Person’s post on the subject) and then I’m knee deep in network testing tools. Certainly there have been moments the past four weeks where I’ve gotten my feet underneath me to have a conversation, but all in all I’ve found that I’m missing out.
This all struck me today when I saw two posts from two people I have a great deal of respect for, yet have never met:
1) eMail Our Military
The official blog for the main web site of eMail Our Military, which picks up where the “Any Service Member” letter drives left off, allowing people to send an eMail to our troops with their thoughts, prayers and more. I first came across the site’s founder, Trish Forant through Twitter and have followed ever since. I’m lucky enough to write a monthly column for Vetrepreneur magazine and even more fortunate to have vets throughout my family and friends. The respect and admiration I have for these men and women have no bounds and folks like Trish are making a huge difference in their lives.
Fortunately for me today Trish must have seen me Tweet because she let me know of a tremendous book by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Jim Sheeler and the fact that she is giving away an autographed copy. The description of the book by Paul Rieckhoff, executive director and founder of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, sums up why folks should be picking up this book, particularly as thoughts for our troops take a back seat to political bickering:
“Jim Sheeler’s Final Salute should be required reading for all Americans and their elected leaders. It is not pro- or anti-war but instead a gripping account of combat’s price on the families of the fallen. Final Salute is also the inspirational and often heartbreaking story of the incredible, heroic efforts of a Marine officer to help ease the pain of these families. Jim Sheeler should be saluted for providing a heartfelt view inside the returns home from Iraq that too often pass unrecognized by the American public.”
They are asking bloggers to talk about the giveaway, but for me this is so much more about raising a little awareness for those folks out there still fighting for this country each and every day.
2) MediaPhyter Phytes Cancer
Talk about a person who has made social media her calling, specifically how to properly use Twitter, Jennifer Leggio, aka MediaPhyter, astounds me daily as I read what she is up to through Twitter and her blog. Today I actually again was lucky enough to be quickly glance at Twitter and see Jeremiah Owyang post up the link to Jennifer’s post “Buy Yourself a Social Media Guru”. She explains:
If you’re buying them, I’m selling them. Social media folks, that is, for a great cause and for a good price. Some of the industry’s top names have agreed to auction their consulting time order to raise much needed money for Team in Training, the fundraising arm of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which funds medical research for blood cancer cures and provides patient and family support programs.
On Oct. 21, I will participate in the Nike Women’s Marathon, which is Team in Training’s largest event, in order to raise money to support this incredible organization. The fundraising minimum is $2,500 but my goal is to raise $10,000. All winning bids can be paid directly to Team in Training through my official marathon fundraising site and are tax-deductible.
Amazing, right? This is one of those ideas that you kick yourself wondering how come you aren’t smart enough to put something like this together. Kudos to Jennifer, this is most impressive.
OK, now, do you want to inspire me?
Head over to eMail Our Military and spread some love, then check out Jennifer’s fundraising efforts and determine if you can help.
4 Responses
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Wow, Kevin. Thank you for the very kind words and for spreading the word about the auction. I am really excited and nervous about this and I am thrilled to see that the community at large is receptive.
You know, I often tell people that YOU are the reason I got into social media and Twitter and it’s true. I had dabbled here and there until December’s Horn Group webinar in which you live recruited many of us to Twitter. My life changed, my awareness changed and my way of looking at the web and networking changed. I will always be grateful for your leadership and your insight.
As for Mail Our Military, it is an incredible, moving organization, that I keep telling myself to get involved with but haven’t yet. I think I am going to make that change soon, start following Trish, and do whatever I can to aid awareness and support of our troops. Thank you for sharing this, as well.
Er, KYLE. Not Kevin. Sorry, I was writing an email to a Kevin. If it makes you feel better, I called him Kyle. lol.
Kyle,
Great having your expertise onboard the monthly Vetrepreneur magazine. Your insightful analysis on how to increase your companies web traffic the a viable serach engine optimization was right on!!!
Thanks again for sharing your vast storehouse of knowledge within the veteran-owned business community. It’s an honor having you onboard the NaVOBA Team!!!
Cheers,
Joe
Veteran Business Advocate
NaVOBA
I don’t know how I missed this when you published it but I’m happy to have found this now. Thanks so much for the mention and for bringing attention to our troops.
@MailOurMilitary