Melissa Breeland

I am a Loan Officer who has become enamored with social media and it's boundless opportunities...it's phenomenal potential to reach a targeted audience, connect with experts in my field, and to exercise my creative talents .

My original interest in social media (Twitter, FaceBook, ActiveRain, LinkedIn, Blip.FM, Picnik, YouTube) was born out of frustration and desperation when the mortgage market crashed in late 2007. It was a way to express myself, meet new people and learn new marketing tools. I quickly learned how to find those with similar interests, connect with those who had answerers and those who posed new questions I had never even thought of. Talk about exploring a new frontier! Recently I have begun to focus more and more and now I specialize in an area (Charleston, South Carolina) and an audience (1st Time Home Buyers).

I have noticed that my interest and passion is beginng to wain as my time spent and talent for social media networking grows. Now why on earth would that happen?????

I just figured it out.

I'm not giving back ...enough. It has become a huge self-centered virtual stage for me to tout me. Eww!

Well, I'm no dummy. Even I know that when one is given a gift, of any sort, one must share it to help others...right? A gift not shared is wasted and soon deteriortaes and vanishes.

Sorry it took so long ... I'M ABOUT TO GET TO THE POINT. Here goes.

There are a few non-profit organizations in my community that benefit women and children. This is my thing - my cause, if you will. We all have one..deep down inside. I will tell you about them in a later blog.

I realized that the three local agencies in my area that I would like to give back to the most have very little internet presence. Who needs to find these folks the most? People in need or those looking for ways to give back. Maybe I could help. Maybe I could use my new found poweres for good and not evil. OK, that's an exaggeration. I don't use my powers for evil but they are a little self serving...ok, ALLOT self serving.

I feel, as a Loan Officer, I have the potential to earn a very good living and most of the time I do. The Real Estate industry has been very very good to me and to my family. It has given me freedoms and blessings beyond my wildest dreams.

So, I have a lunch appointment to meet with the Executive Director of one of these worthy non-profit organizations to see how my social media talents may be useful to them. We are going to put our heads together to see how I might be able to spread the word, drum up donors, create more visibility and shed more light on a dark topic for those in need.
How are you using Social Media philanthropically?

Believe me..there are a few follow-up blogs coming soon.

“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

EVENT

Manny's Give Back Sundays!!!!
07/19/2009 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Where: Manny's Neighborhood Grille, 1680 Old Towne Road, Charleston
Cost: Menu
Contact: Elmire Raven eraven@mysistershouse.com

Support a great cause simply by enjoying brunch at Manny's Neighborhood Grille. At their "Give Back Sunday" brunch between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm, Manny's will donate 10% of their proceeds to My Sister's House.

It doesn't get any easier than this!

Manny's Neighborhood Grille
763-3908

Visit My Sister's House Thrift Store at 1703 Savannah Highway! Donate or shop for adult and teen clothing and household items. Call 573-1100 or visit our website for more information: www.mysistershouse.org/ways_to_give/drop_off.html

I WILL BE THERE..WILL YOU?

MELISSA BREELAND

Wordless Wednesday - Tombstone From Old Sheldon Church

Over the 4th of July weekend my family and I decided to go exploring parts of South Carolina so we headed South on the Savannah Hwy and got lost...a little. We made it home finally after 8 hours of quality CLOSE family time. AAAAHHHHHHHHH!

In a nut shell (peanut shell): We located the Breeland (Breland) family memorial in the Rivers Bridge State Historic Site, dodged some man eating horse flys, took way too many pictures to post here, solved the worlds problems and created a few more of our own, bought vegetables at road side stands (later noticed they had stickers that said they were from California!), avoided a serial killer and ate some great BBQ at Dukes BBQ.

Our first stop was this cute little country store. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the place.

We tried some amazing boiled peanuts. The first time I tried boiled peanuts they were terrible (got 'em at a Texaco)....this time they were incredible. I felt a little bad about buying them though because I have a friend who sells boiled peanuts and I sort of felt like I was cheating on him. So please go buy his peanuts...everyone loves his nuts! He has a stand in the parking lot of the Super Wal-Mart in Mt. Pleasant. The Peanut Dude!

I bought some yellow grits and plan to make shrimp and grits this evening. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow. Here are a few Shrimp and Grits recipes to try.

Paula Deen's Shrimp and Grits

Martha Nesbit's Shrimp and Grits

OK..so I am in love! Any puppy any where can win me over. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) my husband won't allow any more pets in the house. He is wise and I am impulsive.....good match!

My friend Angie is a foster mom to this cute Shih Tzus who is now ready for adoption through

http://www.shihtzuandfurbabyrescue.com/aboutus.html.

This little cutie has had a really rough life in a Texas puppy mill and was just rescued along with 57 others. She needs tons of tender loving care. All applicants will be thoroughly screened. If you are interested please contact Shih Tzus & Furbabies Rescue.