Michele at Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary has the opportunity to purchase ad space in a mainstream magazine for the following two ads that would run side-by-side (2 pages total). The ads are also ready for easy and inexpensive duplication if you'd like to hand them out (you can even do a two-sided handout!). I'm going to send a handful to my friends who are vegetarians and who find meat disgusting and don't see any connection between meat and their beloved pizza or eggs Benedict.
Michele needs to raise $15,000 immediately. I know it's a lot, but it's also a great deal. I've sent a check for $1,000 (the original amount was $16,000). Please circulate this ask widely in the hope that the milk-drinking, egg-eating world will be confronted with the reality that a vegetarian diet isn't any less cruel than an omnivorous one.
(Click on the images to enlarge them.)
I had never seen the dairy ad before and my heart broke at the sight of it. I look forward to the responses of the handful of people who have asked, "What's so bad about pizza?" The egg ad you've probably seen in one form or another.
Please note that the line at the bottom, about the ad being sponsored by Libra Max, is there because the exact copy I present here was in the Genesis Awards program. The magazine ad won't have that copy, unless of course one or a couple of people fund the entire remaining $15,000 and wish to have their names on the ads.
Thanks for making us aware of this. I just made a contribution. The efforts of the Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary are truly heroic.
Deborah
Posted by: Deborah | May 02, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Thanks, Deborah!
I should say that if the $15,000 is NOT raised for the ad, I would assume that anyone contributing wouldn't mind if their contribution was used to directly help the animals at Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary. And for those who might not know, Michele and Chris take no salaries--PPS is run by volunteers.
Posted by: Mary Martin | May 02, 2008 at 11:58 AM
I've been using The Point (thepoint.com) to raise money for my documentary project, "I'm Vegan". One advantage this has is that campaign members "pledge" their donation, so that the donor's credit card is not charged unless the "tipping point" (campaign goal) has been met. In this case, $15,000 would be the tipping point. Such an approach would, of course, prevent money from being used as a general donation if the full amount is not achieved, but for those who intend only to donate to a successful ad campaign, it would assure them that their money would only be used for a specific purpose. Good luck to PPS on getting this ad published. What is the name of the magazine, or is that top secret?
Posted by: Eric Prescott | May 02, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Thanks for the tip, Eric.
However, not only is this urgent, but I think that because PPS does such great direct service with animals, having the money become a general donation is fine. In fact, I'd rather give for direct service, although this is a fantastic opportunity for vegan education. Pledges are, in my experience, a necessary evil and can quickly and easily disappear into the ether.
There are two magazines, and both are upscale, healthy-lifestyle magazines.
Posted by: Mary Martin | May 02, 2008 at 05:40 PM
In addition to the magazine ad, how about having a campaign to post these on bulletin boards at food co-ops around the country? With Mother's day around the corner, this seems like an especially good time to publicize the one on dairy.
Posted by: Jenny | May 02, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Great idea, Jenny. I don't know if billboards are good (I guess that's completely dependent upon location and I know PPS has done them in the past and may even have one up right now, but it's not the grieving mother one--that I do know), but I'll suggest both as I do know they are less expensive than the magazine ads. I'd like to see them at yoga and pilates studios. That's where the mothers in my area can be found daily.
Posted by: Mary Martin | May 03, 2008 at 06:52 AM
Peaceful Prairie is Etsy for Animals charity of the month, so all profits from their store will go to the sanctuary. Their shop's site is http://www.etsyforanimals.etsy.com . I am a member of EFA and always give 10% of my sales to Peaceful Prairie- http://www.emmask9kitchen.etsy.com
I really hope they raise enough for the ads! This is wonderful!!
Posted by: Molly | May 03, 2008 at 09:51 AM
This is a great ad, and I hope that its published! I am the happy Etsy for Animals leader, we are so proud to feature Peaceful Prairie as our charity of the month, as Molly said, we are giving all of our May profits to help! http://etsyforanimals.etsy.com ;0) Michele
Posted by: Michele Glick | May 03, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Molly and Michele,
Delighted to virtually meet you! Thanks so much for featuring Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary.
Posted by: Mary Martin | May 03, 2008 at 12:31 PM
We've been PPS supporters for a while now, but I made a special donation to them for this ad, which I think is brilliant, and have been spreading the word (as have some friends.) Thank you for publicizing it! (I just had the wonderful opportunity to visit PPS last month... what a moving and inspiring experience!)
Posted by: Laurie | May 06, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Me again! I put a post up on the Vegan Etsy team blog about EFA, Peaceful Prairie & the money needed for the ad. http://www.veganetsy.blogspot.com
We've also been posting in the etsy forums a lot.
I think word of mouth is very important, so hopefully this helps!
Posted by: Molly | May 07, 2008 at 07:33 AM
Thanks again Molly! And you too Laurie!
Posted by: Mary Martin | May 07, 2008 at 09:49 AM