Apple's dedication to the Community

Apple's reputation lends itself to being a calm, cool, and collected company. So of course, its only natural that the organizations they donate to and volunteer with are considered "cool" as well.

Apple's most popular community relations campaign was the RED Campaign. Apple along with various other large companies formed a partnership with U2's "Bono" in order to create awareness about AIDS/HIV in Africa. Apple's slogan throughout the entire campaign was

"PLAY MORE THAN MUSIC. PLAY A PART."

Although the RED Campaign is not as popular as it was when it was initially put into effect, Apple is still donating alot of their time and effort to the cause.

On their page about the Product(Red) Campaign they write:

Choose (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition iPod models and iTunes Gift Cards, and Apple gives a portion of the purchase price to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.

*Official RED Campaign Commercial*

And of course, what kind of company would Apple be if they weren't to donate some of their earnings to causes they believed in?

Back in 2008, when California was in the midst of voting on the same-sex marriage ballot, Apple came to the aid and donated $100,000 to fight the ban.

"Our campaign is a campaign of the people," Sonja Eddings Brown, deputy communications director on Yes on 8, said today following Apple's announcement. "We knew we would never be able to compete with the large corporations and Hollywood. We represent the families. We are standing up and pushing back with everything we have."

And last but not least, what is Apple most often known for? Their Mac's you say....Well, that would be CORRECT!

Anyways, getting back to Apple in the community. Often times during tragedies, such as after September 11, the california wildfires, and for schools that are desperately in need, Apple will donate a large portion of its products.

Unfortunately, with all good companies, there is always that one skeleton in the closet.

"As a bit of background, A Real Tree is an app that is used to help plant trees in areas hurt by deforestation. You purchase the app, they plant a tree. Simple.

In the email, Mokugift’s representative describes how Apple called them a week ago to inform them that A Real Tree would need to be altered or would be removed from the App Store. The reason given was that a new policy was in place prohibiting apps from claiming to do anything beyond themselves, and that any and all applications related to charity were also no longer permitted."

Now, although Apple shunning a charity iphone app may not seem like the brightest idea in hindsight, it must not be ignored all of the good that Apple has done not only in its local community, the Silicon Valley in California, but what community efforts they have put forth both domestically and internationally. (And if the rumors are true that Apple will be creating a red iphone in order to refuel the RED Campaign, then COUNT me IN for an UPGRADE!!!!)