Original Article: If you’re an active part of the Twitter community, you’re probably well aware that the Twestival event is underway today. In some parts of the world it’s already over, but in others it’s just beginning. WebProNews talked to Judy Chang of PayPal’s non-profit team about the event, and the company’s role in it.

If you’re unfamiliar with Twestival, this is its second year, and it is a global initiative to raise money for a cause that is selected by the community – last year it was about getting clean water to people that didn’t have it, and this year it’s about education around the world – the organization to benefit is Concern Worldwide.

The event takes place online as well as off. People arrange parties and events in cities all over the world and see who can raise the most money. "The cities are somewhat competing," says Chang.

She says that because of Twestival’s grassroots nature, the cities find their own sponsors for events. Some of them may feature celebrities (a lot of celebs are auctioning off memorabilia on eBay to support Twestival). Some of the events are streamed live through UStream.

The events are the offline part though. PayPal comes in more on the online part. The comany offers a widget that any of its account holders worldwide can use to raise donations for the cause. That includes 190 countries and 24 currencies. That opens up room for a lot of potential donors.

As far as the events themselves, the Twestival site will show you where they’re all being held. You can search for specific cities and see the details for the event on each one (like who’s attending and how much money that city has raised).

Last year, Chang says Twestival raised $250,000 and got clean water to 17,000 people. Soon, we’ll find out how much the event is able to raise this year.

Today, February 12, marks the culmination of an awful lot of effort and energy by many people around the world, volunteers all, who have made Twestival.

This is an event taking place today in over 175 cities around the world, all with the ultimate objective of raising money to support the work of charity: water, a non-profit organization that brings clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries by funding sustainable clean water solutions in areas of greatest need.

Where I live in the UK, the nearest Twestival to me is Reading Twestival, and I’m going to be there this evening at 7pm. If you’re planning on being there, too, and haven’t yet got your ticket, there’s still time! There’ll even be a raffle where you could win some cool stuff.

Wherever you are in the world, there’s a chance there’s a Twestival near you – check the sidebar on the Twestival home page for the long list of cities, each with a link to the local Twestival.

Twestival is more than simply an event in cities around the world – you can also:

• Upload or buy music at Twestival.fm
• Take part in the t-shirt design competition
• Donate to charity: water

However you participate in Twestival, have fun as well!

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On February 12 in over 100 cities around the world, local Twestivals will be taking place which will bring together Twitter communities for an evening of fun and to raise money and awareness for charity: water, a non-profit bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.

There are over 100 cities officially signed up to participate, including London, Paris, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Austin, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Dublin, Munich, Amsterdam, Bangalore, Melbourne, Lima… the list goes on. And new cities are still coming on board.

But its not only large and famous places – Twestivals are taking place in all sorts of other towns and cities. For instance, I’m pleased that  Reading, a town just down the road from me, will have a Twestival as well and I’ll be there.

In case you’re wondering how Twestival got started,  here’s how:

In September 2008, a group of Twitterers based in London UK decided to organise an event where the local Twitter community could meet offline, meet the faces behind the avatars, enjoy some entertainment, have a few drinks and tie this in with a food drive and fundraising effort for a local homeless charity. The bulk of the event was organized in under two weeks, had close to 300 people in attendance (with a waiting list) and was able to do some good for charity in the process. There were also events in Toronto, Vancouver and elsewhere around the globe which found that Twitter was a great way to bring people together for a social cause. After the first Twestival there was significant coverage and interest to do it again in London. Organizers decided to host one every quarter; but then wondered if this concept would translate to other cities around the world. It could be a powerful thing to have multiple cities around the world host events on the same day, for the same charity, by people who are all connected via Twitter. We are about to find out exactly how much on 12 February 2009 with Global Twestival! Thank you for being a part of this exciting and collaborative experience.

If you’d like to help in a volunteerism role with any kind of Twestival organization, wherever you are, get in touch with Amanda Rose or Jaz Cummins. For updates, follow @twestival on Twitter.

Hope to see you on February 12.

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