I want to take few minutes and let everyone know where we are, and where we are headed with the Elephant Parade London 2010, and the fundraising. My wife and I have been floored, humbled, excited, surprised and honored to have so many people from all over the world donate to the fundraiser to help secure my place in this wonderful exhibit in London. Truly…and sincerely…without your help, support, praise, and encouragement there is no way, this would have even left our dinner table of anything more than a neat idea. With that I want to send a sincere and greatful thank you to all of you who have helped in this great cause.

We have raised almost $5000.00 with fifty donations, and or art purchases between Nov. 3rd and Nov. 29th. Truly this must be a record! We are truly thankful for all the funds raised. My wife and I saw that with the given time frame we may not reach our goal of $12,500.00, ($8400.00 the Elephant). So we thought, prayed and made the decision to take out a loan for the Elephant. Doing this opened new opportunities, as well as new challenges. Firstly, we paid for the Elephant last week, and in doing so before Novemer 30th qualified for a discount of 1000 British Pounds. So the price of the elephant went from 5000 GBP to 4000 GBP or $8400 to $6650. We see this as a major achievement in the fundrasing. Once the Elephant was secured, we were able to make flight arrangements, again to save money with the 14 day advance purchase, from $1700.00 to $1050.00.

Here is where we now stand: My place in the Elephant Parade London 2010 is paid for, and I have secured my place in this international art exhibit/fundraiser for the Asian Elephant. We have also booked my round trip flight to London. I have also secured a place to stay in London for the duration of my stay. Along with the spot being secured, I also have been granted a studio spot to paint the elephant.

We will still be doing continued requests of donations for: materials, transportation, food, and any unknown items which tend to open up with international travel.

Once the Elephant is painted this will close Phase One of the Exhibit.
Phase Two is in May 2010.
Phase Three is in July 2010.

With the loan, and gap between the goal and what we have raised, my wife and I have decided to open the fundrasing until July 2010. This extended time is to help us payoff the loan of $7000.00 (not including interest).

So with the 30th of November Deadline an Hour and 46 minutes away, we celebrate with you for helping us reach a new level in animal conservation, informing several new families about the Asian Elephant, and allowing me to participate in such an event of this magnitude.

Thank all of you who are already on board,be looking for updates on Facebook, Twitter and personal emails. For those of you who have yet to donate, or have not considered what you can do, please email me, or set up a time for a phone call. I am sure once you know where the funds are going, and for what cause you’ll be better informed to make a choice.

Thankyou again for all of your generosity, support, praise and encouragement! We love you! Thank you for being on board!!!!!

Mitch