Friday, November 19, 2010
Gorilla lovers in the Seattle area can help raise money for the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project by participating in or volunteering for the "One Walk for One Health" fundraiser in Seattle, WA.
One of the participants of our October 2008 Rwanda Gorillas in the Mist trip is Drew Nichol, an animal lover who continues to be moved by the experience of seeing the Gorillas up close and in person. In fact, Drew is so inspired that he has become quite involved as an ambassador for the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP), and has organized a really groovy event to help raise funds for the MGVP.
On Saturday, December 4, in Seattle, Washington, hundreds of people will come together for the first-ever “One Walk for One Health,” a fundraiser for the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project. The walk (or jog or run) will take place at Seattle's Green Lake Park from 12-5 p.m. and follow a 2.8 mile trail that circles the lake. The goal is to raise $50,000 at the first of what promises to be a great annual event. Drew is still enlisting folks to walk, and so we ask that everyone please spread the word, especially if you are in the Northwest. Each person is asked to set the goal of raising $200 in pledges for their walk. There will be many special Gorilla-related prizes for walkers, including a Gorillas in Our Midst CD/DVD package put together by Drew, and some bonus items donated by Virunga Artisans.
If you are not in Seattle, but still would like to help by supporting this walk, you can donate online. As Drew says, “this is as simple and fun as watching a Silverback strip leaves from a tree branch!” Go to the Gorilla Doctors page and click on Donate. Please make a note in the comments section that your donation is for the "One Walk for One Health" fundraiser. The Gorilla Doctors page is an amazing source of more information about these fascinating animals, with interactive aspects such as puzzles of Gorillas you can adopt - and they have an award-winning blog too!
“This is the first of what promises to be a great annual event that gets better every year, but I know the first one will be the most special,” said Drew. “Whether you want to aid the plight of the great apes, believe in conservation as a whole or simply want to see better health around the globe, please come participate or support this event.”
Contact Drew Nichol for more information, sign up sheets and official registration form at 425-890-2160 or senkwekwe@gmail.com.