{"id":301,"date":"2010-01-11T14:15:45","date_gmt":"2010-01-11T18:15:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jamesgang.com\/ideas\/?p=301"},"modified":"2010-01-11T14:15:45","modified_gmt":"2010-01-11T18:15:45","slug":"just-look-where-dinner-with-a-stranger-has-led","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jamesgang.com\/ideas\/just-look-where-dinner-with-a-stranger-has-led\/","title":{"rendered":"Just look where “Dinner with a Stranger” has led…"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"illustration<\/a><\/p>\n

\"illustration<\/a><\/p>\n

The unlikely results of “Dinner with a Stranger”<\/h2>\n

I never expected that by saying “yes” to one dinner with a stranger last Christmas, that I’d still be talking about it one year later. The dinner took place last January and benefited the Yonge Street Mission<\/a>. I created a visual essay about it called “Dinner with a Stranger<\/a>.” (See the original essay here<\/strong><\/a>.)<\/p>\n

When the essay first launched, it quickly got picked up by Digg<\/a>, Reddit, Kottke<\/a>, BlogTO<\/a>, etc. It was so popular, our server crashed. Some resourceful people mirrored it on other sites while we frantically worked to move to a server with cloud computing (the advantage being expandable bandwidth).<\/p>\n

What was the response?<\/h3>\n

I heard from people who had similar experiences, <\/strong><\/p>\n

“ I love it! What a great story <\/a> \u2013 I\u2019m so happy you said yes, and shared the story here. I hope that the idea catches on. Five or six years ago my husband and I got a somewhat similar, completely random online request. Only, it wasn\u2019t asking us for dinner \u2013 it was from an 18yr old kid across the country who had just graduated high school….” <\/em><\/p>\n

I heard from people who were admiring but fearful,<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Wonderfully wacky<\/a> and fun but I\u2019m happy to see that you did some research before agreeing to the request. You two are an inspiration and the Yonge Street Mission is a very worthwhile charity.”<\/em><\/p>\n

I heard from people who were touched,<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Thank you so much<\/a> for the heart warming story. It shows such trust, care and thoughtfulness I hope that others take up the cause. Brought a tear and a smile to my face.”<\/em><\/p>\n

I heard from people who were inspired,<\/strong><\/p>\n

“My mind is swirling<\/a> on how can I use this for our non-profit youth group. Better yet to help small business help jump start the economy\u2026WOW what a concept\u2026.help Mother Earth and the people that live on it\u2026thanks Franke.”<\/em><\/p>\n

I heard from people who were having lunches instead of dinners,<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Wonderful posting!<\/a> Communities In Schools (a national, private nonprofit dropout-prevention initiative) hosts an annual \u201cLunch with a Leader<\/a>\u201d where people bid for lunch with various celebrities with the proceeds going to help CIS. Thanks for the posting!”<\/em><\/p>\n

I heard from people who wanted to make it happen in their town,<\/strong><\/p>\n

“What a fabulous idea<\/a> and wonderful way to pay it forward. I\u2019m actually thinking about doing something similarly here in Massachusetts. Thank you Franke for posting your experience in what can be said a very colorful way. And Thank you to Mark the \u201cstranger\u201d for taking the first step.”<\/em><\/p>\n

And then I heard from…<\/h2>\n

\"CBC<\/a><\/p>\n

folks at the CBC who wanted to spread the story on TV and radio….<\/strong><\/p>\n

CBC television’s The National<\/a> and CBC radio’s The Spark<\/a> both contacted me separately and wanted to share the story of “Dinner with a Stranger” with their audience. Wow! The same story told in two different mediums.<\/p>\n

And the magic of the story worked for TV and radio audiences too…<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Just saw your spot on the CBC- awesome!! And I really liked that idea of dinner for charity, what a refreshing change from mainstream consumerism!” <\/em>Facebook comment<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n

“What a great idea with an even better cause!<\/a> Your creative flow is inspiring and heart warming not to mention hilarious! Just caught it on CBC News and found myself totally absorbed by the report. I guess I’ll keep this in mind for my next big surprise to my partner. Thank you! Happy Festive Season!”<\/em><\/p>\n

“How lovely! Both the Dinner with a Stranger<\/a> and your totally entertaining website… How did I know about this? Doing my year-end taxes while listening to the CBC and was so intrigued by the story I just had to search you out. What a pleasure. Happy holidays!”<\/em><\/p>\n

Check out the stories for yourself… Each creative team brought new creativity and added a new dimension to the experience of “Dinner with a Stranger”.<\/p>\n

Watch <\/strong>“Stranger for Christmas<\/a>” by CBC video-journalist, Peter Wall.<\/h3>\n

\"CBC<\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to <\/strong>“Dinner with a Stranger”<\/a> with host, Nora Young:<\/h3>\n

\"CBC<\/a><\/p>\n

The Spark is hosted by Nora Young<\/strong> with creative, research and technical assistance by Elizabeth Bowie<\/strong> and Dan Misener<\/strong>. [DWAS interview runs from 17:11 to 24:54]<\/p>\n

Is this the end of the “Dinner with a Stranger” story?<\/h2>\n

Nope. It’s just the beginning. In the New Year, I’ll tell you the story of my Dinner with a Stranger<\/strong> in Sweden. It took place while I was attending the UN climate change talks in Copenhagen in December 2009.<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/p>\n

I also look forward to hearing whether you would say “yes” to dinner with a stranger.<\/p>\n

My best wishes to you for a wonderful holiday, and happy, healthy and green 2010.<\/h3>\n

In honor of the first Dinner with a Stranger<\/a> I’ve made a donation to the Yonge Street Mission<\/a> for their Christmas dinners for the homeless.<\/p>\n

\"close-up<\/p>\n

————————————————————–<\/p>\n

Just look where “Dinner with a Stranger” has led… \u00a9 2009 Franke James<\/p>\n

Illustrations, photos and writing by Franke James<\/a>, MFA except as noted:<\/p>\n

Screen shots from CBC National News<\/a> and CBC Radio The Spark<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[originally posted on Franke James site<\/a>]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The unlikely results of “Dinner with a Stranger” I never expected that by saying “yes” to one dinner with a stranger last Christmas, that I’d still be talking about it one year later. The dinner took place last January and benefited the Yonge Street Mission. I created a visual essay about it called “Dinner with … <\/p>\n

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