One of the Spring 2011 capstone groups helped make this year’s Twestival Local happen. They were able to tell stories and show the Friends of Boone County Family Resources (BCFR) the power of social media while helping the local social media community learn about BCFR. Capstone members were Nan Wu, Alana Young, John Henry and Katie Green. John put together this explaination of the project and the future of this class taking part in non-profit events:
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Prior to my participation in Twestival 2011 I frequently remember my friends asking, “What is that?” One person thought Twestival was a technology expo; another person dismissed it as a party. Unfortunately, at the time, I was not knowledgeable enough to give an accurate answer. But, attending a Twestival changes that.

Twestival brings together two distant worlds, social media and charity, in an effort to help each other improve to the best of their abilities. It is truly a unique and progressive idea.

In order to understand that, one must comprehend the impact it has on the two parties that put it together. Twestival provides an opportunity for charitable organizations to bring an influx of recognition to their respective cause. While charities are often forced to go it alone, this annual event makes it possible for them to access an audience they normally do not entertain. This year, Friends of Boone County Family Resources raised almost $3,000 from Twestival. While a good part of that money came from silent auctions and traditional donations, an amount of it came solely from the Internet. Users, who could not even attend, took out their wallets in order to help. Without Twestival, BCFR would have never reached that audience.

WATCH DESCRIPTION OF TWESTIVAL 2011: (more…)