A few weeks ago, in celebration of my seven year anniversary of blogging, I joined with a couple dozen other travel bloggers to raise funds for Save Elephant Foundation. The organization provides for the care of 38 elephants at Elephant Nature Park, who have been so badly injured or abused that they cannot survive in the wild, however its facilities are maxed out and they are desperately in need of funding in order to care for more animals. Flight Network stepped up and offered to donate a $2,000 flight voucher for airfare to Thailand and soon we were running a raffle that provided readers with one chance to win the trip for each $2 donated.
Last week, as the end of the contest approached, we were all very excited that we had exceeded our goal, raising $5,450 for this worthwhile effort. I got some even more exciting news; the winner of the trip was one of my readers! I phoned them with the good news and was stunned by their response. Rather than accept the trip, they requested that the value of the airfare be tuned over to Save Elephant Foundation as well. Flight Network happily agreed to do so and, as a result, we will be donating a whopping $7,500 to the foundation.
I’d love to be able to tell you the names of the winners, but in their humble way, they have requested anonymity. But on behalf of all the bloggers who participated and everyone who is involved in this worthwhile charity, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your incredible generosity. I am honored to call you friends.
What a great cause. I have been to the Elephant Nature Park and they do great work. Our money goes to good use there.
I wholeheartedly agree Bryan – I think they do wonderful work.
What a superb gesture. And to such a good cause. I was taken back by elephant rides when I took one to Amber Fort in India and saw the hooks. The image still remains with me…
I applaud your efforts for a great cause and the competition winners are simply amazing for what they did.
I’m following you on Twitter now, so I can catch up with your stories more often – maybe see you there sometime!
Thanks Selina! Let me know what your twitter handle is and I’ll follow back.
Hi Barbara, After read your heart beaten content I must say, I could have helped but it’s not in my destiny as I also encourage to all wildlife.
Such a great example! I am trying to help Elephant World in Thailand build a fence!
Good for you, Tam. Hope you vetted the organization first, to make sure they don’t allow visitors to ride the elephants, or mahouts to use bull hooks, and that they bring the mahouts into their fold so they can be provided for and educated.
Great story.
Changing the subject….where is your cover picture taken? The huge metal “sculpture”? Who is the artist? I love it.
Hi Paula! Thanks so much – glad you enjoyed it. The sculpture is in Chicago, and I chose it because that’s my home town. Its official name is Cloud Gate, but everyone just calls it The Bean, because it resembles a coffee bean.
What an awesome giveaway! Wish I had known about it earlier!!!
Thanks Andi – I felt really honored to be asked to help raise funds for such a worthy cause.