"C" is for Cluttered News Feed

For those on Facebook, you've seen your share of status update and profile picture fads lately.  October was breast cancer awareness month, and the girls posted "I like it (insert where you put your purse)."  My news feed was flooded with "I like it on the kitchen counter," and "I like it in the closet."  Next was child abuse awareness in November and December.  Little icons of Strawberry Shortcake, Smurfette, and Starbrite popped up everywhere when people changed their profile picture to their favorite cartoon character.  The icing on the cake was the "numbers game" which took over Facebook yesterday.  Apparently you were supposed to send a number to your friends in a private message, and they would post a status update with a memory about you along with your number.  Clever, right?  I don't think there was any "awareness" associated with the numbers game--just a bunch of trash posts that clogged up my news feed, followed by me hiding and/or permanently deleting everyone who participated.

I'm sure many other people are as annoyed as I am with this kind of Facebook abuse.  I mean, I really like Facebook.  I check it almost every day, sometimes multiple times a day, and I post pictures and status updates fairly often.  I like being able to see who moved where, how they're doing, who they married, if they have pets, kids, etc.  It's interesting to me, and it's a great way to keep in touch with friends, especially since our generation has spread out across the U.S. and abroad for school and jobs.

So back to my cluttered news feed--I was thinking about ways to show awareness without terrorizing the entire Facebook network.  Here are a few ideas based on my personal experiences:

Breast cancer awareness
Back in college I led efforts in my sorority to collect pink lids from Yoplait yogurt to raise money for Susan G. Komen.  It's called the Save Lids to Save Lives program.  For every lid mailed in Yoplait donates $0.10 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation up to $1.6 Million.  I still collect those lids and mail them in today.  I don't think I posted about it on Facebook, but next October when I see the fad-of-the-month roll out, maybe I'll remind people that they can make a bigger difference by taking real action instead of changing their Facebook status.  Why not donate your time by collecting lids or your money by making a donation directly to Susan G. Komen?  If you wanted to really get into it, you could sign up for your local Komen Race for the Cure.

Domestic Violence
Next on the list: domestic violence.  For the past few years, John and I have sold our unwanted items in the neighborhood garage sale.  This year instead of boxing up the leftovers for use at next year's sale, we donated everything to Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Inc.  (See "C" is for Charity.) I'm not going to lie--the tax break for our donation is a great perk, but we donated our stuff because we wanted to give back to the local community and to support a good cause.  I know there are plenty of national and local charities out there to support, so consider donating your time, money, or unwanted items before you change your Facebook profile picture purple next November.

Multiple Sclerosis
Last on my list: multiple sclerosis.  In 2008, I raised money for the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.  (Thanks to those who donated!)  Every year the National MS Society raises money and holds bike rides throughout the U.S. where people ride about 150 miles in two days.  It's a daunting endeavor for most, but I was really into bike riding, so I figured, "Heck, why not?!"  I completed all of the training rides, but the remnants of Hurricane Ike blew through Oklahoma on the first day of the official ride.  Although I didn't complete the 150-mile, 2-day ride, I know I raised money and awareness for a good cause AND got into great shape physically.  So next May during MS Awareness Month, consider getting out on your bike instead of updating Facebook!



P.S. For all of those Facebookers who participated in child abuse awareness in November and December, you might be interested to know that according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Child Abuse Prevention Month is officially observed in April.

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