For a number of years, my wife, Judy, and I have been making financial contributions to support PETA’s work. But this past September, we discovered new and very enjoyable ways to help PETA save animals.
First, we purchased tickets to attend PETA’s 35th anniversary gala celebration, held at the famous Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. This really was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Upon arrival, all attendees were greeted on the “red carpet” by PETA staff and paparazzi, as if we were all celebrities. Following a very inspiring awards ceremony hosted by comedian Bill Maher, longtime PETA supporter Paul McCartney performed for a crowd of 1,000 for nearly two hours. I stood 10 feet from the stage, and it was a real thrill to see and hear my teenage idol at such close range.
As part of the event, PETA also organized an impressive silent auction, with a broad array of prizes donated by generous PETA members and supporters. I bid on two prizes and, surprisingly, won both a one-week cruise on Royal Caribbean International and a three-day spa retreat in Ontario, Canada. We have yet to experience the spa retreat, but we’ve just returned from the wonderful cruise—a tour of the eastern Caribbean, which departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
We sailed on the “Allure of the Seas,” the largest passenger vessel in the world, able to accommodate 5,840 passengers and 2,300 crew members. The variety of on-board activities was mind-boggling, as was the nightly entertainment. For example, we saw a Broadway cast perform the musical Mamma Mia! As for dining, Judy and I are both vegans, and we were initially disappointed by the options in the main dining room, where our choices were extremely limited. Fortunately, however, on day two, we discovered two buffet-style restaurants that offered excellent vegan menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Many of the selections offered were East Indian or Asian in nature, and from that day forward, we ate extremely well.
My wife and daughter will be spending three days at the Grail Springs spa in Ontario at the end of May. A full report will follow.
From these experiences, I’ve learned that there are many creative and innovative ways to support PETA’s lifesaving work. Even if you can’t afford to attend a gala event or bid on a prize package, you can definitely make a difference. For example, you could host a yard sale to benefit PETA or sell items on the Internet via PETA’s online thrift-store platform. You could join PETA’s Action Team and learn how to organize protests or tables at festivals in your hometown. You could share and “like” PETA’s Facebook posts or visit the WoofTrax website to download the Walk for a Dog application to your smart phone. Select “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals” when choosing which group to walk for, and each time you use the app, PETA will receive a donation.
The options are limited only by your imagination. I encourage you to find ways to contribute that most resonate in your heart and work best for you!
Guest writer Bob Clark and his wife, Judy, are longtime animal advocates who demonstrate compassion for animals every day through their vegan lifestyle, Vanguard Society support, and Augustus Club membership. Bob and Judy live in Toronto, but they can be found in Florida with Pinot (below), one of their crew of companion cats during the winter months when they aren’t off traveling elsewhere.
