Last night, Kuala Lumpur was one among the 200-odd cities around the world where Twitter users gathered this weekend for a cause.
For the first time, almost 200 Twitterers/ Tweeps/ Tweeples came together making it the biggest tweet up (Twitter meet up). Finally, we get to see the faces behind the names we have been following and socialize (face to face – involves talking and body language, no keyboard or screen), eat yummy food and donate money to Destiny Starting Point, Klang.
Mingling and endless conversation going on and their thoughts were not limited to just 140 characters. Twestival started as a Twitter-based meet-up but has grown into an event that benefits local charities all around the world from September 10 -13.
Attendees registered with RM 40 donation at the door (prebook - RM30) and began feasting on Cupcake Chic (@thecupcakechic) , 1901 Hotdogs (@1901hotdogs) , New Zealand Ice Cream (@nznMY) and more amidst sipping beers sponsored by Tiger – Guiness Anchor Berhad.
Beginning around 8pm, the fun at The Mist, Bangsar (@mistclubbangsar) kicks off with Will Quah (@willsquah) spicing up the Tweeps. Entertainment by Inversion Crew hip hop dance performance and DJ Twilight Action Girl. Later, Will Quah partnered with Elaine Daly (@elainedaly) to push the auction bids higher and higher and SOLD! The lucky draw prizes includes:
- Starbucks @starbucksMY ‘bearista’ and two mini mugs,
- RAW Pixel Studios @rawpixelstudios Photography voucher worth RM 500
- New Zealand Natural Ice Cream @nznMY supply for 1 year (No, it doesn’t come with a gym membership!)
- Crocs voucher worth RM 129.90
- Exabytes Network Hosting and Domain for 1 year worth RM 270
- Poken Asia @pokenasia – social profile exchanging electronic device with cute printings (I want one too but I ain’t that lucky!)
- Lenovo @lenovo_MY desktop C300 All-in-one PC
- AirAsia @airasiadotcom Return tickets to Saigon
- and lots more!!!
Auctions
- Pilatique 4 sessions of Pilates classes worth RM 600 – Start bid RM 150 (Well, it is useful for the one who won the 1 year supple of ice cream!)
- Nike @nikemy Waffle Limited Edition jumper for girls (It comes with a pick up line too – “Hey, can I smother you with butter and honey?”)
- Czip Lee @cziplee – Moleskine Helvetica Limited Edition notepad
- Kiehl’s Whitening skincare hamper
- and many more!
TwestivalKL is supporting Destiny Starting Point, a Klang-based charity home that take in young boys who dropped out of school to prevent them from getting involved in gangterism. “We help the young boys to find their purpose in life and help them to achieve it,” says Pastor Stephan Samuel of Destiny Starting Point. “We decided to partner with TwestivalKL because we need help to sustain the home as it is hard for us to raise fund due to the stigma and problem of the boys being a delinquent.”
More than 20 local sponsors, including Digi Broadband that stepped up to donate two desktops and a year supply of Digi Broadband access to the home, which fulfilled the organiser’s initial fundraising objective, allowing the full cash proceeds from the event go towards the home’s other needs.
At the end of the night, the amount adds up to RM 9000 plus and the organisers asked every Tweeps to give in all the small change in their pocket to bring the figure up to RM 10 000. Within minutes, #twestivalKL thread showed “I hear 10K has been breached!” by @zeffri. Well, a mundane “What are you doing?” question can be leveraged to achieve noble objectives too.
David Lian (@davidlian) from Text 100 PR (@text100MY) who volunteer as the event organizer, joyfully said, “I’ll definitely do it again next year!”
The not very lucky @kyanmay didn't have a chance on lucky draw nor auction because I put the goodie bag and ticket in the car before the event starts and I don’t remember my LUCKY NO. How about auction? The Kiehl’s hamper I wanted starts bidding at RM 150 and I had only RM 150 in my pocket. Yeah, better luck next time - February 2010, another TwestivalKL. It’s good for the Tweeps to practice the long forgotten real socialize skills once in while.
You can follow me @kyanmay but not literally though, I WILL CALL THE POLICE! =P
For more information, check out TwestivalKL. Or search for #twestivalKL on Twitter to find out all the happenings during the night.
