Mobile In Action
Nelson Mandela Charities Launch International SMS Campaign
To celebrate the 90th birthday of Nelson Mandela, his charitable organizations have come together to launch an international premium SMS service, allowing millions to text their own birthday message to the former South African president.
A mixture of shared and dedicated PDMS codes have been set up in over 20 countries around the world including the U.S., U.K., South Africa, Australia, Spain, and Germany as well as many African nations making this one of the biggest premium SMS fundraising initiatives to be staged.
Well wishers text their own message to their specific short code in country, receive a return thank you message complete with unique PIN allowing them to view their message securely online at www.happybirthdaymandela.com/frontHome.seam
Salvation Army Tries Text Messages to Raise Funds
The Salvation Army's ubiquitous holiday bell ringers will have a new tool as they try to raise funds through the holidays—text messaging.
Atlanta-area Salvation Army officials are introducing a program that lets donors give $5 to the charitable organization by sending a text message to a specified number.
Beginning in two weeks, cell phone users in the Atlanta area can text message "TSA"—which stands for "The Salvation Army"—and a $5 donation will be added to their phone bill. The number will be posted on signs alongside the familiar shiny red kettles outside 297 locations in the 13-county metro Atlanta region.
Republicans, Obama Ask Supporters to Text Hurricane Relief
Republican National Convention leaders have asked convention attendees to pledge donations to hurricane relief funds via text to an SMS donation code, using the keyword GIVE.
...Barack Obama's campaign could not leave it up to the Republican camp to harness technology for the betterment of the Gulf Coast. The Democratic presidential candidate contacted his cadre of supporters who receive text messages from the campaign, with a text that read, "Barack asks that you give to the Red Cross: give 5 dollars by texting "GIVE". or give more by calling 1-800-435-7669 or at redcross.org/donate. Please fwd."
SMS Scores a Goal4Africa
A celebrity football match in Germany that will be broadcast on TV around the world will benefit Nelson Mandela's Foundation using SMS in 16 countries.
"Under the slogan "Goal4Africa", a benefit soccer match with the world's top players will take place on July 12 in Munich's Allianz Arena in Germany.
...During the game, the charity campaign will be prominently advertised by the broadcast partners. When texting a keyword to a local short code the viewer receives a mobile phone wallpaper. The proceeds go to the Mandela Foundation, which supports HIV positive and AIDS infected people."
Baseball Team Tests Texting for Charity Program
Washington Nationals fans soon will be able to text in charity donations during a game, thanks to the power of text messaging.
During the July 13 game against the Houston Astros, fans will be invited to text the word "NATS" to an SMS-donation code to give $5 to support the work of the Children's National Medical Center to fight pediatric diabetes.
Indian TV SMS Campaign to Help Deprived Children
Indian Amrita TV has launched a public service initiative 'Send an SMS.Save a Child' to help the underprivileged children.
"The entire SMS revenue garnered by the viewer's votes on the reality shows of the channel will be donated for the education, shelter and health care of underprivileged children, stated an official release."