And the winner of the HP laptop and printer is…
- Fri, February 19 2010
- Filed under: Fun stuff
As you know, HP emailed me to say they are giving away laptop and printer bundles as part of their Create Change program, which highlights how individuals and technology are creating change in the world. More on the campaign here.
I asked readers to write in comments one great, brief story about how technology helps you transform lives. I encouraged great storytelling skills. I said I’d pick the most moving story and HP would send that person a laptop and printer for the work of their nonprofit. Everyone else who posted gets copy of Switch (the one book to read if you’re trying to change the world) !
This was a tough decision. I reviewed every story along with three collagues, and we wanted to give away 31 laptops and printers. Thank you everyone for such amazing storytelling.
There was one story, though, that grabbed us all from the start and illustrated every principle of good storytelling. That was Vikki’s:
A local mom had her heart broken when her ex-husband did not return their two boys to her after a visitation last year.
Her life and soul was seemingly ripped from her when the two boys and their father were discovered in a remote wooded, snow-covered area - victims of a murder/suicide.
Shortly after that incident, our Domestic Violence shelter was in danger of being closed due to funding cuts, and we had implemented a fundraiser using Facebook Causes. Amy, the bereaved mom, was a “friend of a friend of friend”, and one of those friends had supported us through that cause. Amy, a Survivor, and her friends quickly utilized their Facebook accounts to spread the word that, without their help, Neville House was in danger of closing down, and this would eliminate all victim services for the whole of our county.
Amy’s request for people to donate reached the local newspaper, who ran a domestic violence theme for three days - including Amy’s appeal and the plight of the shelter.
I believe that it is as a direct result of this story running “through the wire” - from our website to Facebook to the local media - that our shelter is still operating. We have had to eliminate a staff position, and now need to replace funding that has been cut by a different source. but the victims of domestic violence in our county still can find shelter in their time of need, and can still access support services to enable them to become Survivors.
So the laptop and printer go to MCCA!
And everyone else gets a book! Just email me at katya dot andresen at sign networkforgood dot org with your address. I will be thrilled to send you an advance copy of this great book.
Comments
What an honor! Thank you so much for this wonderful blessing - it will be put to very good use at our organization.
Each time I read another entry I saw our mission become just a little less crucial in the whole scheme of things, as I learned of the plights of all the other participating organizations. Then, I realized that we ARE all in this together, and every story is just the right fit in the puzzle that we call life.
Keep on communicating! I’m grateful for all the work that all of you do!
Vikki Baptiste
Development Specialist
MCCAinc.org