Update...Sort of

Hello all. I wanted to get this post out before we left for our vacation later this week. I know it sounds like I am constantly bitching and moaning, but, well, I am. I have a major presentation to make to this manufacturer and if I cannot manage to garner even a hundred supporters for the cause, and we're not even asking for a penny, then what kind of believability will I bring to the presentation, other than being a laughing stock.

For the last couple of weeks, I have really put a great deal of energy into promoting our cause on Facebook. From just my own creation of the interest group, "Help Save Chimp Eden From Fire," we've gained 45 members.

Now as good as that sounds, honestly, it sucks! The "cause" has been posted on Animal Planet's Facebook "wall" and I have even become friends with Philip. In my message asking him to add me as a friend, I explained what we are trying to do and why. While he did add me to his friend's list, there was no additional message of any kind.

The other problem is that there few if any emails or comments on the blog. So perhaps, on a good day, if the wind is blowing the right way, we may, may...have close to 100 "sponsors," people that actually give a damn about the jobs that the great Jane Goodall, Philip, Eugene, and all the crew of Chimp Eden, do. For to me, if you follow this blog, or read about our cause on Facebook and do nothing, you're no different than the poachers, the bush-meat hunters, and the enablers and abusers of chimps and other animals. And I'll bet that many of you, who read this blog or have read our cause on Facebook, have a dog or cat, a bird or a boa.

I'm not asking you for money. This isn't a telethon to raise money for Stevie's kids (although...nevermind...a different time and place). This is a crusade to help you understand what fire can do. And I'll wager that many of you have personally experienced the effects of a fire, either personally or through a family member or acquaintance. I was a firefighter for eight years. Believe me, I don't have to be on a preserve in South Africa to know about fire, what it does and its after effects. Add to that the human toll that fire takes, whether on the fireground itself, after the fight, or even in practice, as so terribly happened to Johann at Chimp Eden, there is no reason why hundreds, if not thousands or even tens of thousands of signs of support (SOS) are not coming in right now.

Listen, we both know that I could have set up both this blog and the Facebook cause to collect money and tell you that you can "trust me" to bring this money to the meeting. But you don't know me from Adam! Why then, would you even consider making a cash contribution to someone you do not know?

I mentioned on my recent post on the Facebook "cause wall" that perhaps some of you, the reader, know a better way or a different way, to advertise this blog or our Facebook cause. You don't need to ask me for permission, just POST IT!!!!! All I ask is you let us ALL know what you have done and where. This way, we can all share in the experience as we nurture and "grow" our cause. Remember, this is a free and simple way for you to help make this world a better place.

I'm off on vacation for a couple of weeks. I'll be trying to check in as we find Internet cafes and the like. So remain vigilant and dedicated to our goal. Light a candle in memory of Johann and in your prayers, tell him we are trying very hard to honor his work, his dedication, and his ultimate sacrifice to Chimp Eden.

Till next time...