Living in the city, we’re used to not being part of a community. Whilst I know the neighbours in the apartments next door and opposite me, I’ve never said hello to my next door neighbours or even know what they look like.
But my online community is different. I feel that’s where I get an old-school feeling of all being in it together, camaraderie, helping each other and friendliness.
Kelpenhagen (via twitter) just alerted me to this feel-good story of Armano, who blogs at Logic + Emotion. He had a friend, who has been the victim of domestic violence, bring her kids to come and stay with him after she left her husband.
He wanted to raise $5000 to help her with the bond and the first month’s rent for her own apartment where she could build a home for her kids.
I first saw the tweet as I was coming home today. By the time I got home, the twitter/internet community had already donated $9000 to the cause.
It’s an amazing story of the power of community. As Armano said -
I don’t have anything to offer back. Not an ego list or top donators directory. I can only hope that this thing we call “community” puts its money or heart where its mouth is. Please do whatever you can.
Judging from the comments, many people gave what they could, some donating $5 at a time, but when so many people donate it all snowballed to change the life of a family who needed it.
I love the online community.*
*Most days. Some days I find myself investing time and energy in political and social arguments with what is probably a 12 year old.
This post is tagged under: random thoughts, social networking
