American Red Cross

Hurricane Sandy roared into the East Coast during my first week as the AARP's new social media trainer. I noticed how many people were sharing incorrect information on social media and wrote a post explaining ways you can check the information you share with friends. In the aftermath of the storm and the growing crisis to provide assistance to thousands of people in 12 different states, I wanted to reach out and help. Luckily I'm friends with a leader at the Red Cross who encouraged me to jump in as a digital volunteer at the organization's Washington, DC headquarters. I had to extend my stay here thanks to the storm, so I loved the chance to help.

  This is a guest blog post from Reed Sandridge.  Sandridge lost his job in 2009 and did the unthinkable - he started giving away $10 a day to complete strangers!  He captured the story of every recipient at www.yearofgiving.org.  A frequent writer and speaker on volunteering and micro-philanthropy, Sandridge lives in our nation's capital.