Mr. Nelson, a 35-year-old management consultant and a co-founder of the widely read Command Post site has put together a new blog coalition, Strengthen the Good, to focus attention on microcharities. He started by asking for donations to support a California mother of 13,Susan Tom, who had adopted 11 mentally and physically disabled children, in addition to two of her own. After two and a half days, Mr. Nelson raised more than $15,000. Susan Tom had adopted 11 mentally and physically disabled children, in addition to two of her own.

Now more than 200 bloggers are linking to Strengthen the Good, highlighting the causes that Mr. Nelson brings up. Most of the diarists have not heard of the charities before. But they do not seem too concerned about the groups' legitimacy. They are familiar with Mr. Nelson, and that's good enough.

What is the reason behind such trust? "You find someone whose opinions you share, and you're more likely to trust that person," said Meryl Yourish, a veteran blogger. "You consider it vetted through them. That's what Alan is doing here — the legwork, to find what's worthwhile. And I trust him to do it." (Full text of the story: New York Times)