Be Part of an April Fools’ Day That’s Really Different!
For this April 1, U.S. brand T-Mobile has come up with an out-of-the-box IRL initiative. Known for their love of pranking on April 1, for April Fools’ Day this year, with all the challenges of the pandemic, the mobile phone carrier is asking the public to shake things up and #GiveThanksNotPranks.
Starting April 1, the company is offering everyone the chance to express gratitude to the helpers in their lives, while contributing to a really amazing cause, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America COVID-19 Relief Fund. As the President and CEO of this organization explains, this fund is moving mountains by caring for children of first responders and emergency healthcare workers, providing free meals to pupils in areas affected by school closures, and adapting what they do via virtual programing to provide kids at home with safe and fun places for them to learn and grow in.
We’re changing things up this #AprilFools.
Instead of pranking, we’re thanking! See what we have planned up our sleeves:
— T-Mobile (@TMobile) March 31, 2020
There are two ways to get involved:
You can tweet using their hashtag, #GiveThanksNotPranks and tag @T-Mobile. Through April 7, the brand will donate $1 for every gratitude story posted on Twitter doing this, up to a total of $200,000. This can be to thank the neighbor who did a drugstore run for you, the meal delivery driver, or a caring medic or other helper.
Alternatively, texting THANKS to 50555 in the US throughout April to donate $5 of your own, will see T-Mobile match donations up to $300,000. You don’t need to be a customer to do this, and charges will be reflected on your next monthly bill.
Affirming that “we’re all in this together”, T-Mobile is inviting other brands to get in on the action by sidestepping April Fool’s Day stunts, and giving to the relief charity of their choice using #GiveThanksNotPranks.
Some brands such as Google have already shared their intention to skip the pranks this year to help people stay focused during this challenging time. Other companies are sharing the best of what they have to offer for free. Even celebs are lending a hand. Sometimes, staying positive and helping out is about keeping it real, even on April Fools’ Day!
