With all the squabbles, mockery and trolling on Twitter, it can be easy to forget what a truly powerful platform we have at our disposal. Over the last week, Commentary social media associate Bethany Mandel harnessed that power to make a huge difference in one North Korean refugee’s life.
Hundreds of thousands of North Koreans are desperate to escape to countries that offer asylum, but don’t have the money to fund their journey to freedom. Even those that make it to China face repatriation and death if captured.
@Veribatim Yup. I've been reading so much on North Korea and felt so thankful. That's why I'm collecting funds for a refugee.
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) July 4, 2012
After reading about the refugees’ struggles, Mandel used social media to raise the $2,500 needed to help one refugee escape the threat of oppression, imprisonment, torture and execution.
Friends, I'm trying to collect enough to rescue a North Korean refugee from the Underground Railroad. Please donate: http://t.co/gUJ0VbNz
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) July 3, 2012
With almost 17,000 refugees that have made it to South Korea, and less than 100 to the US, hundreds of thousands still wait in the underground for an opportunity to escape – we have a chance to respond NOW.
LiNK needs $2,500 per refugee to cover necessary costs such as food, shelter, transit, guides, paperwork and other incurred expenses throughout the journey.
LiNK is an organization that provides emergency relief to refugees and works with underground shelters in China to help resettle escapees in countries that provide asylum.
I've been posting a lot about my campaign to help bring a North Korean refugee to freedom. This explains how bad it is: http://t.co/Gwz9B8DY
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) July 3, 2012
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There are gulags the size of Los Angeles inside North Korea. Please donate to bring one person to freedom: http://t.co/gUJ0VbNz
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) July 3, 2012
Mandel asked and the Twitterverse delivered.
https://twitter.com/ezradulis/statuses/220279740530044928
Support @bethanyshondark in her efforts to aid North Korean refugees. http://t.co/t6qUN7tt Liberals & conservatives should unite on this.
— Bruce Godfrey (@BruceGodfrey) July 9, 2012
In just one week, she was able to raise over $2,500 for LiNK.
In a comment on the donation page, Mandel wrote, “I’ve gotten donations of $250 and $350 from perfect strangers that followed me on Twitter. I had never once interacted with them. They just felt the need to give. Unreal.”
I just got a $250 from a stranger. We're less than $50 away from $2,500. E G – who are you?!
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) July 11, 2012
Seriously – EG – WHO ARE YOU?! I just got another donation from this mystery person. WE DID IT FOLKS!!!!!!!
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) July 11, 2012
As soon as the payments clear @WePay (probably in the next day) I'll be sending a $2,500 check to @LibertyinNK. THANK YOU EVERYONE.
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) July 11, 2012
Mandel’s Twitter followers celebrated the fundraiser’s success.
@bethanyshondark good work! Nice to see the amazing impact one person can have to make the world a better place 🙂
— Sarah Rumpf (@rumpfshaker) July 11, 2012
@bethanyshondark at peace knowing you may have changed someone's life.
— Susanne Rosenhouse (@susqhb) July 11, 2012
https://twitter.com/ezradulis/status/222905230134738944
.@bethanyshondark THANK YOU for taking the lead on this – please let everyone know if there are other opportunities to help @LibertyinNK.
— Megan Ritter Judt (@MeganRitter) July 11, 2012
@bethanyshondark ALL the thanks certainly belongs VERY MUCH 2 a magnificent/wonderful person that you are – who's done so much 4 others!!!!!
— D-Man (@DKB_Rockin) July 11, 2012
Thank you, Twitter friends, for your incredible generosity. I ask one more thing: Follow @LibertyinNK & keep updated on the situation in NK.
— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) July 11, 2012
Fantastic job, Bethany. From all of us at Twitchy, thank you for your leadership, hard work, and unwavering dedication to the cause of freedom.
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