Join Us This Sunday

Greetings!

In the spirit of Earth Day, we thought we would update you on everything 22reasons has been doing to help animals on this lovely planet we all call home!

Gigi has continued to share the story of the orphaned orangutans in Borneo, Indonesia as well as the story of the US Air Force space chimps . She will be talking about elephants for the fourth year in a row, at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, and she is broadcasting Lolita's story in the following whale-sized ways!

Gigi joined the discussion at the Wissahickon Valley Watershed's book club reading of Death at SeaWorld, by David Kirby. The evening was exceptionally educational because David was on speaker phone answering each of the members questions!

We launched our Lolita Mural Project, creating 22' life-size orcas with students at Germantown Academy and GW Childs Elementary School. We will add another orca to the "mural pod" this weekend at the Chestnut Hill Garden Festival and a fourth mural in June, when Gigi shares Lolita's story at the Widener Branch public library -- part of a summer series of animal stories she will be presenting there.

Gigi also did educational outreach at the Ambler Theater while they screened the movie "Rust and Bone." She answered questions about real incidents between trainers and captive orcas -- incidents which have caused bodily harm and trainer deaths in marine parks around the world, including Marine Antibes which was featured in the film.

Suzanne Meyer of Meyer Soup Designs had created our second fantastic t-shirt, this time to raise awareness about Lolita! We've also added a couple of other specialty items to our store -- all proceeds will fund the Lolita Mural Project.

We are educating more and more people, raising awareness and promoting action on behalf of these animals who need our help. Thanks for your compassion and interest in learning about animals!

Chestnut Hill Garden Festival --

Sunday May 5th 11 - 5 pm

22reasons will, once again, have a booth at the Chestnut Hill Garden Festival to raise awareness about animals who need our help.

This year we will share Lolita's story and offer the public the opportunity to --

PAINT A 22' LIFE-SIZE ORCA MURAL

You can find us at the intersection of Germantown Avenue and West Hartwell Lane --between Magarity Ford and The Flying Fish restaurant.

All ages will be encouraged to participate and everyone will have the opportunity to sign messages to Lolita

in support of her retirement from 43 years of performing at the Miami Seaquarium.

Check out Take Part's article about the project --written by author/journalist, David Kirby!

This visual petition will be on display this summer, with the other orca murals painted by students at schools in the Philadelphia area.

ps. We'll have smocks and water-based paint!

New Board Member -- Andi Healy

Andi and I became fast friends when she arrived with her menagerie of animals to live on the farm next door. We have spent countless hours talking and discussing our on-going projects plus, we delight in sharing the Andi Healy latest antics of our four legged friends.

Andi has spent the last year on the executive committee for "Focus on Haiti," developing and implementing support systems for a community in dire circumstance. She is simultaneously running a GED program in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. Previously, Andi was a board member for "Medicines for Humanity," developing medical solutions in numerous communities around the world. Andi was also an elementary school teacher, in both public and private schools, for ten years while raising her two girls. And, she was the vice-president and marketing director for Wissahickon Spring Water, again, implementing vital solutions for communities abroad.

Andi's years of experience as an educator, business woman, and humanitarian make her an ideal member for 22reasons board of directors. We are fortunate to add her insight to our team, and we welcome her unmistakable compassion for people and animals.

Meet the other members of our Board of Directors

Good News -- DONATE NOW!

22reasons received our second grant from the

Burket-Plack Foundation, Inc!

We are grateful for their renewed support and for their faith in our mission to teach compassion for animals.

Donations help us improve our programs and expand our reach. Please consider making a contribution, become a partner in promoting the critical thinking necessary for action on behalf of animals!

Thanks for your support,

Gigi ~ Sander ~ Dalia ~ Liz ~ and Andi