2015 marks the eighth anniversary of HoHoTO, with the power of social media driving this self-organized benefit party
TORONTO, Dec. 6, 2015 /CNW/ - Toronto's connected community of marketers, entrepreneurs, designers, and developers are joining together for the eighth year to help improve our local community with HoHoTO, a fundraiser and holiday party in support of YWCA Toronto's Girls' Centre and other organizations who are making an impact on Toronto's digital ecosystem.
Taking over the Mod Club on Friday, December 11th, 2015 Toronto's digital community is proving that we can make a difference with a night of holiday cheer, DJs, dancing, photos, late night pizza, instagramming, and non-stop tweeting.
Since 2008, HoHoTO has raised over $350,000 in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank. HoHoTO is often cited as one of the first remarkable examples of a hyper-connected social media movement using the power of self-organizing online groups to make a real world difference.
"I'm always amazed at what HoHoTO manages to accomplish every year. It's a great party and a fun time but also reminds people that there are those who are struggling," said Gail Nyberg, Executive Director, Daily Bread Food Bank. "I'm always thrilled when people choose to give their time and energy back to the community in this way."
This year, HoHoTO is shifting its focus to impact and opportunity, as we bring the digital community together in support of organizations that directly affect beneficial change in our technology ecosystem. This begins with this year's donation and support of YWCA Toronto's Girl's Centre, where HoHoTO can help provide over 400 girls aged 9 to 18 with new opportunities in business and technology.
"We recognize that building towards a more diverse ecosystem isn't just an issue of supporting women and minorities currently in the workplace, or even those now preparing to enter the workforce," says Lee Dale, co-chair of HoHoTO. "Reaching our goal of an inclusive digital industry is a multi-faceted challenge that begins with childhood development and opportunities for youth of all backgrounds to engage in digital and engineering pursuits."
To help us raise essential funds for The YWCA Toronto's Girls' Centre, event tickets are available at http://hohoto.ca. Sponsorship opportunities are also available starting from $250. Full sponsorship details can be found in HoHoTO's Sponsorship PDF.
The ongoing discussion around this event can be tracked on Twitter by following @HoHoTO or searching the #hohoto hashtag.
About HoHoTO
HoHoTO started as a casual remark in a Twitter discussion in 2008 and grew at great speed to become Toronto's biggest holiday fundraiser for the geek community, almost overnight. HoHoTO was built as a way for Toronto's vibrant, thriving tech community to spread a little love each holiday season, and give something to those less fortunate.
HoHoTO has been cited as one of the first and best examples of the power of self-organizing online groups to make a real-world difference. The event has been profiled as a best-practice use of Twitter and social media in best-selling business books, recognized by Queen Rania of Jordan as an example of social media influencing online activism, and endorsed by Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, Rick Mercer, David Miller, Don Tapscott, Reddit's Alexis Ohanian, Cory Doctorow, David Weinberger, and others.
About YWCA Toronto's Girls' Centre
YWCA Toronto's Girls' Centre is a girls-only space. At the Girls' Centre, girls 9 to 18 years of age try new activities, develop skills and discuss topics in a safe place. Girls build leadership skills, enhance their self-esteem, learn to live safely in their communities, make new friends, and learn to understand and challenge the world around them. Girls and young women receive support on difficult issues, share ideas, express creativity, explore interests and plan their futures. And they have a lot of fun!
All YWCA Toronto's Girls' Centre programs are free, including TTC tickets and snacks.
Learn more on the YWCA Toronto site.
Direct Access to the Logos and Photos:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lnakr5ccujupgtk/AACfipB9RQ0fSz_8t3dIEzhda?dl=0
SOURCE HoHoTO
Image with caption: "HoHoTO (CNW Group/HoHoTO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151206_C8078_PHOTO_EN_558968.jpg
Image with caption: "HoHoTO (CNW Group/HoHoTO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151206_C8078_PHOTO_EN_558978.jpg
Image with caption: "HoHoTO (CNW Group/HoHoTO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151206_C8078_PHOTO_EN_558970.jpg
Image with caption: "HoHoTO’s badges can be sported throughout the holiday season, and include HoHoTO snowman, snowflake, reindeer, and santa illustrations. Photo by Lee Dale. (CNW Group/HoHoTO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151206_C8078_PHOTO_EN_558980.jpg
Image with caption: "YWCA Toronto’s Girls’ Centre offers a safe space and programs for girls aged 9 to 18. (CNW Group/HoHoTO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151206_C8078_PHOTO_EN_558972.jpg
Image with caption: "HoHoTO, Toronto’s biggest digital community benefit party, in full swing at the Mod Club. Photo by Andrew Louis. (CNW Group/HoHoTO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151206_C8078_PHOTO_EN_558974.jpg
Image with caption: "Hundreds of digital industry peers get together every year at HoHoTO to celebrate the year and support Toronto community initiatives. Photo montage by Lee Dale. (CNW Group/HoHoTO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151206_C8078_PHOTO_EN_558976.jpg
Rochelle Latinsky, Coordinator, HoHoTO, 416.917.7084, [email protected]; Lee Dale, Co-chair, HoHoTO, 647.898.9694, [email protected]
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