We Used Our Words
Friday, August 31, 2012 Comments usually make me laugh. Sometimes they make me think. Occasionally, they piss me off. But never before have they made me feel like a superhero. That is, until the month of August rolled around. What happened in August? This:
There have been many times in my life when I've half-heartedly uttered the phrase "I'm lucky to be a part of..." But right now, at this moment, I am telling you with full heart (and those of 30 other bloggers) that I am so lucky to have been a part of this amazing campaign.
The premise was simple: blog about the impact that blog comments have made on you, and for each comment anyone left on your post, $20 would be donated to Shot@Life, an initiative of the UN Foundation.
What does a $20 donation to Shot@Life achieve?
It provides four life-saving vaccinations (measles, polio, diarrhea and pneumonia) for one child. $20 SAVES ONE CHILD'S LIFE. And all anyone had to do was leave a comment for this magic to happen. For once, even that guy trying to sell hot tubs via my comment section could feel good about his work.
While I was all set to serve as the last leg in this 31-day relay race, it turns out my teammates were simply too awesome. They reached the goal of $200,000 before the torch was handed to me. YES...
But I'm not going to complain. 10,000 kids will now receive life saving immunizations because of this. 10,000 kids!! Stretched end-to-end, 10,000 kids would be almost as long as the line for Space Mountain. These are kids who could grow up to be world leaders, doctors, athletes or even bloggers. The circle of internet life is complete.
While I feel a teensy bit melancholy that none of my comments will contribute to the overall kid-life-saving fund, there is a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow, and it is filled with lighter fluid. You see, as the last one to wield the torch, I got to light the ceremonial fire. And that makes everything a-ok. I also went ahead and built you a slide show of my favorite passages from all the other Blogust bloggers who posted before me. It's all in the video, so check it out:
By the way, you can simply pledge your support for Shot@Life, get involved and yes, even donate.
Reader Comments (69)
This made me cry, made me smile, reinforced my love for our community and the potential we have to make a difference in the world. So honored to be a part of this with you -- and thanks for carrying that torch home.
Jim,
I am getting emotional watching your slide show! At the risk of being repetitive, I must say again what I have been saying to everyone for the last 31 days. This campaign has been one of the most wonderful efforts I have ever taken part in. I am humbled and not just a little bit overwhelmed by the awesomeness of our amazing organizers; my fellow incredible bloggers; and all of the people who showed up once, twice and all through the relay!
I am ecstatic that we met our goal--- early! But I will miss this energy and you and all of the team who did something magnificent here! Thank you for your humor and your torch and your slide show. Exceptional grand finale! Bravo! :-)
Jim,
You're the one who gets to thank everyone for the achievement!
Geez, I thought you were going to go on fire with that torch ;)
So utterly fabulous, I can hardly stand it!!! BRAVO Jim, what a way to take us out!!!
Killer video! Leave it to you to almost kill yourself while saving kids with a post :)
You're the best. Great, great work. :)
Yes, we can make a difference in the world!
Pyrotastic Jim!!
Wow. Just wow.
From one pyro Dad to another, you knocked it out of the park man.
What a pleasure to be a part of this campaign with you. LOVE your video, thank you for taking the time for putting it together, and thank you for carrying the torch today!
What an inspiring blog you have here. I loved the video. I will check out the charity and donate. The kids are adorable!
Way too go!!
Wow! yeah! After a long month of endlessly commenting and reading my fellow Shot@Life posts, I'm amazed to see how many lives we have saved together! Thanks for bringing in the last day and for making it happen!
This is so fabulous! xo
Jim, Thanks so much for the video, for the post, for your energy, for your words. What a beautiful way to close Blogust! Thank you!
Jim! I'm a puddle! Reading highlights from all the Blogust posts is SO moving! You've created the perfect conclusion to an incredible campaign!! And with pyrotechnics! It doesn't get better than that!
Oh Jim, so wonderful. You gathered the goodness and shared it in the most brilliant, touching, awesome way. I'm all misty and awe struck. Go Blogust! Fabulous.
Wow! Tearing up. In a world where too often we focus on what is NOT working, it's a breath of fresh air to hear about what IS working. Hooray Blogust! And to all of the children, moms and dads who will be helped.
Raising kids who'll help save kids. Saving kids with your voice. How amazing are you?!
Jim -- this is very special and you wisely remind us that endings are always the beginning of something new. You are the best!
- Devi
Rio is calling. They want you for the Opening Ceremonies. See how my photo fit with the relay theme? Not just a doofus grabbing a beer. Well. Maybe both. Anyway, way to bring it home, Jim. Very well put. Congrats to all.
JIm this is absolutely amazing! I am crying once again because of the wonderful campaign! Love that you risked life and limb to give children a shot at life!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this.
Made me cry. Thanks.
thanks for sharing
Dude --- fire is NOT a toy!
What an amazing feat and I am super-honored to have played a part in your equally amazing video, my friend. Thank you and HOORAH for #Blogust!
Of course there was fire. Of course there was an amazing compilation slideshow. Of course there was safe water fire extinguishing practices.
You. are. awesome.
I'm super happy this whole magical journey ended with you.
You're good people.
All 31 of you are good people.
This was a good thing. A very, very good thing. Which is nice, because there aren't many good things left anymore.
Fantastic!
What a great start to the day and a touching end to this campaign.
What a brilliant success! This is such a wonderful cause that I am so happy to support. Every single child in the world deserves a Shot at Life!!
I was really worried you were going to melt your face off there for a minute.
Great way to bring up the rear on this awesome campaign!
What a fantastic experience this has been! Thanks for taking us out with a bang (well, a proverbial bang...glad there were no explosions). Cheers!
I suppose this post was worth waiting for. ;)
I wasn't sure if this was legit when i first saw it on FB but I'm so glad it is! What a great way to help provide a child a chance at a full and happy life! Very impressive:)
This was the perfect ending to something very special. Dare I say, "I laughed, I cried"? I really did. Thank you Jim for distilling it down like this. It couldn't have been better. I'm still in awe at the kind of impact we can make when we come together like this. Bloggers, readers, conversations, community, intention...creating change. I love ii.
Superheroes! Well done, all.
Dude. Righteous ending. Seriously.
Wait. We don't get to see you run around the block, wielding that torch?
Thank you, Jim. That was amazing, as were the words you chose from each of us.
Thank you for your fun post. What a great way to end this month long campaign and celebrate some of the most inspiring quotes given. I have enjoyed waking up in the morning, reading posts, and having the opportunity to make a difference for Shot@Life by leaving a comment. I look forward to the next project and the opportunity to connect with you again.
Hey Jim, your comments count just as much as anybody else's! Sure they don't necessarily count in the money department but by being a part of this, I'm sure you've driven thousands of comments to other sites. You're awesome brother and will be getting comments from me whether it saves a life or not. Cheers!
Way to bring blogust to a funny, poignant, rockin' end. Cheers!
Really, only you could teach a child that fire saves lives.
WAY TO GO, LIN.
That was epic, especially when your faces melted off. :)
way to go!
Of course "we did it!" -- not only because of the wonderful folks whose posts blew us all away but also because of the community surrounding them. It was especially moving to me because of the war on women and the nonsense going on in Tampa contrasted with the sad flooding in LA and elsewhere-- what a contrast! A real positive force.
OH and a side advantage: Finding blogs like this one that I didn't know about!
"it turns out my teammates were just too awesome" :) way to bring the puppy home. Great job and thank you !
Thanks for wrapping up Blogust! 10K kids will have access to lifesaving vaccines because of the work of you and all of the Blogust participants in raising awareness of this cause. Pretty good work for one month! As a dad of two boys, I can't think of anything more important.
Nice ceremonial ending to a great campaign!
Thank you for participating and for giving me an opportunity to contribute. I am relieved no one got injured by the torch!
thank you for being a part of this.
Good luck!