Help Vanuatu

After news of the natural disaster I've been searching for ways to help communities in Vanuatu. I came across the New Zealand Kiwanis who have been working for over 20 years sending books and school resources over there to help children.

After cyclone Pam, the group is back to square one. Right now they can't send books, though if you are in or near New Zealand message me to learn how to drop off a book and school supplies donation, but they are accepting donations to restart their program.

If you can give anything these are their details: 

Account name - New Zealand-South Pacific District of Kiwanis International
Inc
Account number - 030181 0000105 00
Swift Code - WPACNZ2W
Bank name - Westpac New Zealand limited
Bank address - 198 Kitchener Road, Milford, Auckland 0620 New Zealand
Reference: Vanuatu Disaster Relief
contact: treasurer@kiwanis.co.nz

Education is the greatest tool for personal growth and empowerment. Thank you in advance for helping this cause.

"The headmaster of Central School, lays out books to dry in the sun after the roof of the school's library was blown away by Cyclone Pam in Port Vila," International Business Times.

30

In exactly 30 days at 3p.m. I will welcome my 30s.

Earlier this year, I asked you, family and friends, to share 1 word you thought described me. Unknowingly, you sent words that describe you, too, and characteristics I have obtained thanks to you being in my life.

I am celebrating 30 years by giving thanks to YOU and raising funds for Alzheimer's research, the illness that took my dad and changed my mom's and my life since his diagnosis.

I'd like to raise this money to give back to a community of caregivers that is often overlooked, to share some of the love and support you have given my family and I through the years, and to raise awareness about an illness that is not an "old people" problem.

More importantly, I want to do something significant in honor of my mom. She alone cared for us, never getting enough credit for it all and never having enough resources available.

I invite you, then, to begin celebrating with me by making a $1, $5, $10 donation and raising $3,000 in 30 days.

http://act.alz.org/goto/3k30D

And, together throughout this month, celebrate each other and the amazing memories you've gifted me in 30 darn great years. The #YearOfLove continues, let's make this happen too! #3K30D !!!

Selfies Research

My latest for #ywdBoston, featuring Huspot's Dan Zarrella and his awesome research on what makes a good selfie:

HubSpotter and social media scientist Dan Zarrella reviewed over 160,000 Instagram images tagged under #Selfie to learn which were most successful — and give us a template for selfie success. As Dan explained, his initial motivator really was the dance song #SELFIE. He told us:

“I had started quoting it around friends and I wanted to have a definitive answer for the Valencia vs X-Pro II question. But beyond that, selfies are clearly an important behavior, not invented by social media, but catalyzed by it and I strive to understand as many types of interactions with communications technology as possible. With selfies you can really start to get into the heart of the ‘mainstream’ user, something that can be a challenge for social-media-dorks like myself.”

I reckon it’s a challenge for any person or brand trying to establish an organic connection with the general public... read more and see the infographic.

On Love

This week I was engulfed by the Black Keys' new album, specifically 10 Lovers, and surprised by coming across this photo on my drive.

Serendipitously, they go well together.

Enjoy.