Monday, July 16, 2007

The ‘thon is on!

For the past five years, otherwise clearly rational individuals have flipped their lids and decided to stay up all night, update their weblogs every half hour and engage in high jinks and folderol, all in the name of charity. It's the Blogathon, baby, and it's on again for 2007.

Last year's event raised almost $100,000 for charities of the bloggers' choice (the only stipulation for choosing a beneficiary is that they must accept online donations) and 2007's event looks to bring in even more participants and dough for vital organizations. (And yes, this whole deal is on the up-and-up. It's co-administered by my pal Cat and has a proven track record.)

Unfortunately, as in past years, I'll be traveling during the 'thon, so The BradLands won't be among the active participants, but I'll be pledging a couple of my favorite bloggers. Why don't you get in on the act too, as a sleep-deprived participant or a sponsor of your favorite weblog? Stay up late and make a difference!

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Stay up late for a cause

Got a weblog? Course ya do! So get thee over to Blogathon and put your pesos where your passion is. This event is one of my very favorite things on the web (as a spectator; alas, in the past as this year, I'll be away from the computer on B-day).

The process is simple: Pick a charity that accepts online donations, commit to updating your weblog every 30 minutes for 24 hours during the Blogathon, gather pledges from friends and readers. Then: Do it!

Registrations are open now and as I write this, nearly 300 webloggers have taken nearly $25,000 in pledges for various charities. (Since it started five years ago, annual Blogathons have raised almost a quarter of a million dollars for deserving causes.) Do it. Do it. Do it.

(If you can't participate yourself, you can certainly pledge one of your favorite webloggers. No excuses. Go. Now.)

Sunday, July 27, 2003

Blogathon Success!

Weglogging in the wee hours, part II: I extend wishes of congratulations and pleasant dreams to all of the participants in the third annual Blogathon which, as of this writing, raised over $90,000 for some very deserving charities as personal publishers around the world stayed up and updated their websites for 24 hours. Like any marathon, it was by turns exhausting and exhilarating.

I'm pleased to have sponsored Rannie Turingan's Photojunkie site and his charity AIDS Committee of Toronto. And I'll soon be making a substantial contribution to Modest Needs as well, in recognition of Cat Connor's hard work and dedication in organizing the 'thon.

Pledges after the fact will be accepted for another day or two. I encourage you to stop by the Blogathon website, to check out some of the participants, and to consider sponsoring one or more sites.

Update: Pledge totals have now exceeded $100,000. [7/27/03]