Hi there. I wanted to let you know about a new fundraiser that I’m launching to benefit Animals Asia’s Moon Bear rescue . Since you so generously contributed to my fundraiser last year, I wanted to invite you to take part, so we can help them end the suffering of so many bears that languish needlessly for years on bile farms across Asia.

If you are touched by the plight of the Moon Bear, and if you haven’t done so already, why not join me? You can do whatever you want, wherever you want to raise funds, but there will be prizes for the person that raises the most money, and for the most creative/outrageous fundraising idea. It will be a lot of fun. Myself, I'll be running the Pennsylvania Tough Mudder on June 2nd. But if together we get anywhere near the $100,000 goal by October, I pledge to run the New Jersey Mudder in a Moon Bear costume and post a video of it. I’m not sure if it’s physically possible, but there’s only one way to find out...

Anyway, if getting involved is not your thing, a donation of any amount is always immensely appreciated. Please don’t feel obligated though. You have been so generous already.

Here’s a link where you can join the team and get your own fundraising page. It’s worth a look just to see me training in the bear costume: www.crowdrise.com/moonbear

Warm wishes.
Kai

Please excuse me reaching out to you again but this is rather urgent and won't cost you anything this time except a minute or two of your time.

I just learned that Animals Asia, the organization that you so generously supported back in May through my fundraiser, is having a bit of a problem at the moment and I wanted to ask you, to take a minute and help them out if you haven't done so already. Please read the news of the potential eviction of their sanctuary in Vietnam at the following link and follow the simple instructions to email the prime minister of Vietnam, sign the online petition, and share the information: http://www.animalsasia.org/index.php?UID=HNL6E4VTP0D

Sounds like there's some dirty tricks going on, and if they succeed it will be a devastating blow to Animals Asia and the 100+ bears in their Vietnam sanctuary who have suffered more than enough already.

Thank you for your help.

Kai

I can’t thank you enough for supporting my fundraiser for Moon Bears last month, and I truly mean it. So here’s another wave of heartfelt thanks.

All in all $20,000 was raised, plus about $7,000 in matching gifts from PepsiCo. Thinking about it still makes me feel warm inside.

At last, I’ve posted some pictures & video from the grueling Tough Mudder that I ran in return for your donations. You can see them here:
http://www.crowdrise.com/moonbear

Incidentally, this link is also a placeholder for the next fundraiser, which will probably be in Spring 2013. I’m encouraging brave people to join my team and do their own crazy thing to raise money for the Moon Bears (skydiving, bungee jumping, shark diving, whatever). Myself, at the risk of catching fire, or drowning, or both, I’m planning on running the Tough Mudder again, but this time in a bear costume. I have a sneaking suspicion that there will be another Earth Day type Challenge next year, if not before. The more people on the team raising funds, the better chance we have of coming in 1st place, so join up and you’ll get your very own fundraising page.

If you feel compelled to get more involved with the Moon Bear Rescue, here are a few things you can do:

1. You can find out how to sponsor a bear at http://www.animalsasia.com/index.php?UID=8IOFOMP2O4X
2. Find out about upcoming events at Animals Asia’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/AnimalsAsia
3. Also, there are many volunteer groups around the world. If you would like to join one let me know, and I will help put you in touch with the group nearest to you.

In addition, if you would like to see just how your generous donations are being used, watch the documentary Moon Bear: Journey to Freedom. It’s on you tube in several parts starting at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGzg8q60YsU. Or seek out a screening of the new film “Cages of Shame” in your area.

Thank you again. And please feel free to keep in touch. My email is kaimadden@aol.com

Last, but not least, a big thank you to my corporate sponsors:

Minerva Scientific, Derbyshire, UK
Rockstar Energy Drink
Bark & Meow Inc, Tarrytown, NY
Gotham Dream Cars, New York, NY
Bridge View Tavern, Tarrytown, NY

Kai

4 ½ hours to go in the Earth Day Challenge and we're almost at $20,000 which is double the original target amount!! Thank you all for your extreme kindness & generosity. It really is astounding.

I just put in my matching contribution but we're still a tad behind 3rd place ($4,300), so if you have a rich aunt or uncle you can beg from or blackmail, now would be a good time.

Seriously though, I am absolutely gobsmacked at the response to this fundraiser. And know that your donation will be helping to set a another bear free from a long life of misery very soon.

I'll be drawing the 10 winners of the Moon Teddy Bear contest tomorrow so good luck.

My sincere thanks, and eternal gratitude. Let’s see what the next 4 ½ hours hold. Should be exciting....

Kai


Leaderboard:
http://www.crowdrise.com/EarthDay2012

With the Tough Mudder complete, my head shaved, and 24 hours to go in the Earth Day Challenge, here are the standings. Right now there’s a $3,000 gap between us and the $10K prize and a $7,000 gap to win the $15-$25K prize:

1. Red Wolf Coalition $24,112
2. Bat World Sanctuary $24,080
3. Plant a Fish $20,800
4. Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve $18,353
5. Kai’s 2012 Moon Bear Fundraiser $15,420 ($17,920 once matching donation is added)
6. Jewcology $9,324

It’s a stretch, but whatever happens tomorrow rest assured that a lot of money and awareness has been raised for these bears that so desperately need our help. As long as there are people like you to stand up for them, they at least have a fighting chance at a life, and there’s hope that Asia will eventually be bear farm free.

Words cannot convey how grateful I am for the immense support I’ve had over the last 3 weeks, and the donations are still coming in as we speak. When I started this I never dreamed that it would go this far.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of this and giving so generously! Fingers crossed for tomorrow. The contest ends at 11:59PM (EST) on Tuesday night. If you like, you can keep an eye on the leaderboard here:
http://www.crowdrise.com/EarthDay2012

Kai

I did it! I finished the Tough Mudder yesterday in 4 Hours and 20 minutes. Not a great time but this was the toughest one yet. Lots of cut and bruises, but I survived, barely.

I’m not so good with heights and panicked a bit at the top of the cargo net, but I just remembered why I was doing this and the enormous support I had from everyone, and that thought alone got me over the other side.

I put a couple of pictures up on the fundraising page, and I will add more as I get them.

There’s two days left in the Earth Day Challenge. It ends at 11:59PM on Tuesday (EST). I think we have a real chance at third place. You can check the standings below on the leaderboard. I will be adding my matching contribution toward the end, and a very generous person has offered to match all donations that come in by end of day Monday up to $2K.

Thank you with all of my heart for you generosity in helping these poor bears find their freedom. I can’t thank you all enough!

Leaderboard:
http://www.crowdrise.com/EarthDay2012

Fundraising Page:
http://www.crowdrise.com/KaisMoonBearFundraiser2012

Just wanted to update you all on the Earth Day Challenge. We're in 5th place right now, but nipping at the heels of 3rd with 5 days to go.

Thank you so much for helping to get this far. I still can't believe it. We got some very nice press on the effort that I wanted to share with you all if you haven't seen it already, with more in England going to print as we speak:

http://tarrytown.patch.com/articles/tarrytown-man-to-compete-in-torturous-race-on-behalf-of-beautiful-moon-bears

http://www.crowdrise.com/community/impact

It should be an exciting few days. If I can end up in at least 3rd place it’ll mean at minimum an extra $10,000 toward the bear rescue program. So if you know any other bear fans (Chicago or otherwise), please let them know about it:

http://www.crowdrise.com/kaismoonbearfundraiser2012

Thank you again for your support!


Kai

Just in case you don't have it anymore, here's the direct link to the Moon Bear fundraiser if you're able to promote it for me:

http://www.crowdrise.com/KaisMoonBearFundraiser2012

Thanks again.

Kai

I wanted to thank everyone again that has generously donated to my Moon Bear fundraiser and give you all an update:

I am still in the Top 3 for the Groupon Challenge with $5200. The leader has raised about $7,800 so I've got a bit of catching up to do. If you could help me spread the word about the campaign and how close we are to winning the $25,000 first prize it would help me out tremendously. If you haven't done already, please post it on facebook, twitter etc. Ask your friends, family, co-workers, dentsist, secret lovers etc. if they can lend their support.

Also, if you have any ideas of how I can promote this, please email me at kaimadden@aol.com. I'd love to hear from you.

Thank you for being so great!

Kai