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Kenyan tale shows power of online giving

Article by: JEAN HOPFENSPERGER , Star Tribune
Updated: February 6, 2012 - 1:09 PM

A plea by a founder of the fledging Longonot Education Initiative in Minneapolis for a security fence at a Kenyan orphanage draws a global outpouring.

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SPIDER33Feb. 3, 12 6:21 AM

Great Story. Good to see People Caring about People.

john8590Feb. 3, 12 6:42 AM

as the artical states online giving through social sites is not advised because they are not really set up to accept donations for a cause. rule of thumb; never never give any money online. it is to many times a criminal scam. if you really want to donate to a cause do it to an 800 # if one is not given do not try to give any money online to said website if it sounds off the wall, it probably is. this is just common sense which is lacking a lot today.

verstandFeb. 3, 12 8:52 AM

@john8590: Online giving has come a long way. There are numerous organizations like GiveMN that are legitimate, let alone organizations collecting donations directly on their websites. To cast all online giving as scams is rather ill-informed but to advise people to donate through a 1-800 number is even worse. I'd rather give online on the site of people I know than to some stranger over the phone. Regarding reddit: The community there makes every effort to verify a plea such as the one above. Previously, the goodhearted redditors fell for a few dishonest requests and they have gotten cautious, but stories like this one make it all worthwhile. Hooray for Omari!

funkstrongFeb. 3, 12 9:10 AM

Its perfectly acceptable to give money online. Just give it some forethought and know that it is your responsibility to research and validate your donation.

ziggymFeb. 3, 12 9:17 AM

What an inspiring story. It is so wonderful to see an outpouring of support after something like this.

cinemajayFeb. 3, 12 9:58 AM

@john8590, what century are you living in? Just about every major charity, medical/research organization, and reputable nonprofit in the world has an online presence and ways to give money online. The best thing to do is give through official websites, which is where I'm guessing he directed people wanted to give to his nonprofit.

cinemajayFeb. 3, 1210:02 AM

Also, it's worth noting that there are even special days dedicated to online giving, such as "Give to the Max" day where you donate to your favorite non-profits: http://givemn.razoo.com/p/gtmd

strib666Feb. 3, 1210:08 AM

"It's head-spinning stuff for the nonprofit".....I see what you did there.

rabblerouse1Feb. 3, 1210:44 AM

AMAZING story about young people doing some amazing things. Very inspiring indeed. A lot of us just sit back and talk, it's great to see such initiative.