The ribbons and such strike me as low-effort-low-result enterprises, but one thing I HAVE noticed, mostly on LJ because it seems to be the medium best adapted for it, is direct fundraising campaigns with PayPal buttons. Not for a cause or a foundation, but for individuals. "X lost all her stuff in an apartment fire." "Q's dad kicked her and her child out of the house." "B, a talented writer with no health insurance, needs surgery." "Rescued cat has expensive vet bills." Most recently, "T hasn't been able to get out of the house to the laundromat because she's been taking care of her partner after his hernia surgery. There's an online deal going for pick-up and delivery laundry service. You could buy them a gift of clean laundry!"

This passing of the virtual hat HAS made things better for individuals, and it's done so in a way that wouldn't have worked as well without the social networking.