UGA HEROs launches campaign to be on The Ellen Show
If you know Ellen, please let us know
Tuesday afternoon, UGA HEROs started their boldest campaign yet: they’re aiming to get on The Ellen Show. Using the hashtag #GetHEROsOnEllen, the organization is conducting the campaign in hopes of going viral and catching the attention of Ellen Degeneres.
UGA HEROs is a completely student-run philanthropy that started in 2003 on UGA’s campus. The organization raises money for kids in Georgia affected by HIV/AIDS. The state currently ranks number six in the nation for pediatric AIDS cases. Last year, UGA HEROs raised $285,000 for their HEROs kids.
The 600 members of the student organization started their road to Ellen by inviting friends to the campaign’s Facebook page. Within 24 hours, they gained nearly 1800 likes.
This idea was created nearly a year ago by the organization’s Director of Internal Affairs, Lily Hackett, and the Social Media Chair, Annie Nichtern.
The campaign is centered around an emotional video portraying the life of a HEROs child. The video follows a child though a day of school and afternoon activities as he ponders the disease and its effect on his life. The heart-tugging film focuses on the many challenges and obstacles children with pediatric HIV/AIDS face daily.
The video was shot, directed and created by the organization’s talented video interns, Raymond Boland and Jack Boring.
HEROs is asking members of the UGA community to support their campaign by liking the page and sharing the video. The organization has already received official endorsements from SGA president Johnelle Simpson and the UGA baseball team.
Each day of the campaign has a different theme. Wednesday served as the #GetHEROsOnEllen “Kid Day,” when members shared their favorite kid stories accompanied by pictures. Thursday served as “WOW” day, in which each member shared their most WOW HEROs moment.
The organization’s motto of “If it’s not WOW, it’s not worth doing,” means taking 10 seconds of insane courage to pull the next biggest stunt in order to fundraise or spread awareness for the kids. Several members included pictures of their most recent skydiving day for committee recruitment. Friday, HEROs will be hosting an Ellen party in Tate between 10am and 2pm with giveaways and music.
IF ELLEN IS READING THIS, PLEASE CONTACT US AT [email protected].