Thu, April 16, 2009 - 7:14:48

Can Small be Big?

It’s amazing what you can find on Twitter. Since we joined a few weeks ago, we’ve discovered a multitude of people and organizations that are using the power of small to effect real change in their communities and during our celebration of National Donate Life Month, we thought we would highlight a few of our Twitter friends who are doing good by thinking SMALL.

A few weeks ago, we told you the inspiring story of the Sampsons, an Aberdeen, Maryland family of four who nearly lost their home to foreclosure, but thanks to the ingenuity of a friend and the generosity of thousands, avoided tragedy and kept their house.  Now, a new organization, Small Can Be Big, is similarly helping other struggling homeowners and renters in Massachusetts avoid homelessness, one dollar at a time.

Small Can Be Big, which operates through its website, www.smallcanbebig.org, works with established charities throughout the state to search out families on the brink of homelessness. Then, by soliciting tiny donations from individuals like all of us, they build up the funds needed to keep them in their homes.  It’s a simple premise, but an extremely powerful one. 

We’ve all received donation letters asking us for specified dollar amounts that are often much more than we can afford, and instead of giving a lesser, more affordable amount, we become overwhelmed by the price tag and neglect to give at all.  But Small Can Be Big rejects this common fundraising tactic and seeks to solve the big problems by starting small.  By breaking down the debts their families owe into dollars and cents, they conquer the problem one tiny piece at a time.  Not all of us can give $100 to our favorite charity, especially in times like these, but we all can afford to give our pocket change to help others who are just struggling to get by.  Alone, we might not have the means to save another family in need, but by harnessing the power of small, collectively we can make a real difference.

Want to learn more about Small Can Be Big?  Follow them on Twitter @SmallCanBeBig and while you’re at it, tweet with us @ThePowerOfSmall!

Posted by Linda and Robin