Social Networking And Charitable Giving

Reported by: Jennifer Stagg
KUTV NEWS


How long would it take you and a group of your friends to raise 5-hundred dollars for charity?

David Osmond says it can happen with just the click of a computer mouse. He is one of the driving forces behind "UPLEJ"-- an online charitable website that combines social networking and non-profit organizations. It's a concept similar to Facebook or Myspace.

You sign up online, pay a little under 5-dollars per month-- and then spread the word to all of your friends and family. One dollar of your donation goes toward your charity, another dollar goes toward the charity of the friend who recruited you, back three degrees.

"The more and more people join, the more money goes to all of these different causes," David said. "Say a thousand of your friends did that-- 4,000 bucks a month. And you spent 4.79. That's it."

Any non-profit charity organization that meets the requirements can become a benefactor on "UPLEJ"-- like "Ascend Alliance," an organization that helps impoverished communities.

When David recruited his friend, well-known entertainer Alex Boye, Alex's contribution goes toward multiple charities.

"This is a great way to give back to people and you don't have to give much of yourself," Alex said.

The list of "UPLEJERS" includes everyone from Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff to pop star Debbie Gibson...

They say all it takes is a little bit from everyone to make a big difference.

"The power in numbers is what we're looking for," said Scott Osmond. "The people that join, the more good that can happen."