This fall, 52 “influencers” went live on Facebook for 26 hours straight, filling a 30-minute time slot to speak about human trafficking and to ask people for their help in fighting this cause.
The group, which included Michael Cirillo, CEO of FlexDealer and host of The Dealer Playbook podcast, helped raise $112,000 dollars during the Facebook Live-a-thon.
“I have something so incredible and so important that I want to be able to share with you,” said Cirillo during the live broadcasting of his 30-minute time slot on September 22. “Over the last 18 or so hours, a group of powerful, loving, individuals from coast-to-coast in the United States, or like me in Canada, (and) a few from the U.K. I think, have assembled and rallied among the same campfire to share and bring awareness to something that is so disgusting and so awful.”
Cirillo said dealers were among the many people that helped support the cause with donations, though the exact number of Canadians could not be disclosed due to privacy concerns.
All the proceeds were sent to Rescue1 Global, which describes itself as a 21st century abolitionist movement combatting slavery and human trafficking on a global scale. The funds will be used to help rescue victims of human trafficking.
When asked what the Facebook Live-a-thon experience was like, Cirillo said he is humbled and considers it an “incredible privilege” to be included with a group of “powerful, loving, and caring individuals” who were unified for a common purpose.
“Knowing that so many people contributed their time, talents, and money to help fight human trafficking in all of its varieties is astonishing,” said Cirillo. “To see us reach our goal, and then to surpass it within a 26-hour period is a testament to the goodness that permeates our society, regardless of what mass media might lead one to believe.”
Canadian auto dealer will be publishing its annual “Champions of Charity” feature in the November-December issue of the magazine. The article will provide a glimpse of what charitable causes dealers from across Canada are taking part in and how they are helping their communities.
