BlogHer, Jimmy Dean and Me

Have you been tortured long enough wondering what I was doing at a Jimmy Dean session during BlogHer11?

In all honesty, I am sad to admit that I almost didn’t attend simply because they were the sponsor of the session. I don’t want to be that sort of person or that sort of vegan. I want everyone to use their own minds to make their own choices and possibly listen and grow with me and mine.

I did go and listen and, I’m so very glad.

The session was on Cause Marketing.

Before I get into that, I do want to give props and thanks to Jimmy Dean working with Share Our Strength on their No Kid Hungry Campaign. No matter what you choose as your diet, I hope that at the very least you have food for a regular one and are not going hungry. And, I strongly believe that in this country there is no excuse for a child to be wondering where his or her next meal will come from.

Now, on to Cause Marketing – and especially social media’s role in Cause Marketing.

Vice President Daryl Gormley of Jimmy Dean was the moderator of the company behind the session, but we also heard from a panel of speakers including executives from Share Our Strength (Clay Dunn), Walmart (Deisha Galberth), and A&E Entertainment network (Danielle Carrig) along with blogger Debbie Bookstaber of bloganthropy.org.

One of the key elements I walked away with from this session is that our voices via our blogs, Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or whatever means we use, can be as powerful as a huge corporations even should we be very small.

I also learned that Cause Marketing (or blogging for causes) does not only include writing about the the larger issues on a national or worldwide scale. There is a need for support in our own communities, schools and neighborhoods. We, as bloggers, can attempt to have an impact there. We can share our local stories and motivate others to join in giving help and support where needed. It can be as easy as phoning up a local non-profit agency and asking them what they need and how you can help.

The key is coming from a place of authenticity. This means doing the groundwork – researching the cause – and understanding what you’re striving for and what you feel in your heart. Putting your voice out there for what you believe in and want to support. Also, it is just as important to voice for your own cause as it is to voice support for other’s causes. And beyond using your voice, it is important to get involved. Jump in and build “sweat equity” by doing actual volunteer work…and then BLOG about it!

I truly hadn’t given much thought to Blogging as a Philanthropic medium until this session.

In the past, I have done a few posts for Blogging for a Cause. Now, I realize that “a little” is simply not enough and, I WANT to do more.

I want IN! I want to support causes I believe in through this blog. Whether they’re on a national, worldwide or local community scale. I haven’t figured it all out yet, but I know this session touched my heart, my being.

I’m starting now.

I have a friend Charmaine Pick who is signed up to do the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for a Cure in our area. I think it is a wonderful and amazing thing she is doing. I have given her my support and want to support a movement towards finding a cure for breast cancer. I would not be the same person I am today had I lost my best friend Maura to breast cancer. She is a 5-year cancer free survivor now because of all the help and support she received.

I’m starting locally, with what I know needs support. If you’d like to support Charmaine in her walk, you can simply click the button below. This button will also remain in my sidebar for easy access.

Amazingly, it can be that easy. At least for a start.

So, thank you Jimmy Dean for adding to my awareness in this area. I am truly grateful and look forward to sharing and supporting more causes via this blog in the future.