Sympathy for the otters - yr doing it rite
Poster from the Matter of Trust shop.
Back in the days following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, I remember my mother telling me about the heart-rending images on the flyers the Native groups passed around for fundraising the clean-up efforts.
“We didn’t know that people wouldn’t want to see an otter tearing its own eyeballs out in pain”.
Remember when I was telling you all about the massive momentum of the hair-boom project co-ordinated by Sunshine and Shores/Matter of Trust/Excess Access?
They saw what needed to be done, hooked up with each other, and found a way to get stuff done.
And, in just over a month, they are having a real impact- this was waiting for me in my work inbox today:
GULF OIL SPILL ALERT
5/19/10
BP has contacted us! They want to use the hair boom! Press release to come out presently. You all did it! Everyone can help!
Of all the worthy efforts bringing relief to the Gulf, Sunshine and Shores hooked me right from the start by being user-friendly and easy-peasy.
How easy? Almost as easy as customizing an old clunker by adding a Barbie.
In less than the time it would have taken me to think up and post some moral outrage on an Ecological Awareness website, I had printed out these flyers and biked myself over to two different salons.
(I think showing up on a bike added edge to repping the cause.)
Here’s all you have to do-
1)GO to Matter of Trust’s How To Help page and follow the instructions.
2) Print out some flyers. Staple a flyer to a (preferable re-cycled) paper collection bag. Add your contact info somewhere on the flyer.
"Text me 'Pick Up' at xxx-xxxx when you're ready"
3) Go introduce yourself to your neighborhood hair salons. I met the Class of 2010 at my local Cosmetology College. Who knew there were such nice people so happy to help just a bike ride away? All with hair that would have otherwise been swept in the trash.
Bag full of yaki weaves, Barbie, Braids, Flyers, Collection Bags.
You can also give hose, fur clippings, and cash. Please try it. It ‘otter’ be fun.
And…while every one else is swapping dread (get it?) predictions of devastation, you will be out giving people like yourselves a chance to help.
Never has it been easier to do so much for so little.
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Hooray! Nicely done. There’s a hair school near Earp’s; I’ll stop by and talk to ‘em.
Update – from Sunshine and Shores Foundation-
We have collected over 10 tons of hair, fiber, and fur.
We have collected, in excess of, 50,000 pairs of hose.
Nationwide, we have over 5,000 people helping us collect hair.
BP is going to use our booms and sees how serious we are about helping.
FEMA is getting on board with us.
UPS is aiding in shipping costs.
Farms all over the country are bringing in fur from everywhere.
Boom making is happening every weekend.
Our mission has gained National News recognition.
Not bad for 2 1/2 weeks.
We still need all the hair we can get.
Financial Donations are desperately needed, to set up boom making events, help with shipping and fuel costs.
Sunshine and Shores Foundation.org
Hooray! Don’t forget to let Crow contribute, too.
I just saw this update on facebook today. Posted by my friend and N’orlens resident Mississippi Queen:
“Here’s the video BP will most likely spend money to quash. What’s yall’s publicist gonna say now? What excuse will yall give to keep using (your buddies’) shiny-new ineffective boom this time? Cuz there’s 20 warehouses full of hair-and-fleece boom all donated… and ready to go.”
Ugh:
“After fix fail, a dispiriting summer of oil, anger:”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_gulf_oil_spill
Here is another interesting development. A proven Microbial solution:
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