I am constantly impressed by the good things that people do. Although there are plenty of people out there using social media for shameless self-promotion (heck, I do that daily!) there are also many who use it to spread the word about worthy causes.

Of course, there are the celebrities who have their favorite charities, as well as the cause of the moment.

Wil Wheaton is urging awareness for Safecast, which is concerned with monitoring radiation levels around Fukushima, Japan after the earthquake. He later tweets a different cause, “I’m one Wheaton who supports #OneWheaton.” In support of the community of LGBTQ & Allies of Wheaton College, IL.

Bonniegrrl let us know about an auction of a featured extra role on The Guild Season 5. It raised $3,300 for Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.

Kirstie Alley has found a link to share that leads people to donate to help the recent victims of tornados in the southern US. She also shares other ways to help “SALVATION ARMY text GIVE to 80888 to donate $10 by phone bill. Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769) or visit salvationarmy.usa.org”

Colin Hanks was also moved to use his celebrity for the same cause. “If you can, please text REDCROSS to 90999 and donate $10 for Tornado relief in the South.”

Carrie Ann Inaba has a charity she is supporting. “Who is registered for the May 7th EIF Revlon Run Walk for Women in LA? I will be there and I hope you will too! Get registered today!”

George Takei, the Trek King of the twitterverse, has recorded a ringtone of his trademark “OhMyyy!” with the proceeds benefit The Old Globe Theater in San Diego, and its production of Allegiance, a new musical that is an epic story of love, family and heroism during the Japanese American internment. “Shameless plugs! No, not The Donald’s hair, my OhMyyy ringtone!

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FROM ur iPhone: http://ow.ly/4KpWX Others: http://ow.ly/4KpX9#4Charity “

Astronaut Ron Garan is even thinking about clean water for the people of earth while he is in space. “RT #FromSpace @ONECampaign Dan @JarsofClay helps visualize what it means 2 bring clean H2O 2 1K communities in Africa http://bit.ly/lfyb7C “

More about clean water later… there is a very good reason for the timing of this post!

Besides the celebrities, there are also a host of writers and agents who are doing good deeds.

Brenda Novak’s Annual Online Auction for Diabetes Research is in full swing this month, and several people on my twitter feed have donated goods and services. Author Tiffany Reisz has donated a personalized love scene, and it’s up to $275 so far.  Agent Kristin Nelson has donated a 30 page read with a 5 day turnaround and follow up call. It is now up to $750.  Agent Sara Megibow donated an evaluation of first 30 pages, with a one month response time and a follow-up phone call. It’s up to $165 at the moment. Author Kristina Riggle has donated two of her books, autographed.

Other events are more activity-oriented. Tiffany Reisz, Ben Weibe, and Non Prophet are discussing doing a 5k run, perhaps Run for the Nun. Non Prophet also tweeted a link for another charity “Donate to charity through this site and the evil Richard Dawkins will pay the PayPal fees.”  Elysia Whisler tweets “Hubby thinks I run the Marine Corps Marathon because hot guys in BDUs hand me Gatorade. #heisright.”

And then there are those like Tymothy Longoria who are always retweeting for other writers, helping to spread the word about goals and accomplishments both large and small.

This week’s interview is with Kat Brauer. I started following her because one of the agents I follow signed her, and introduced her to the twitter crowd that follows the agency. Kat lives in Japan where she teaches English through the JET programe. She also has a fundraiser called Crits for Water, which raises money for charity:water. So stay tuned, and hear all about this fantastic writer and the good thing she does! 

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