How To Raise Money for A Panda Suit

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…or Changing the World One Panda Suit at a Time

Given the state of the world, surely there are better things to do than to raise money for a panda suit. People are dying, the economy is failing, sinners are sinning. However, when you think about it perhaps the only thing a person can do in a time like this is find a way to brighten things up, and what better way than to prance around in a panda suit? The world can use a few new smiles.

I got the idea from a post by the Bloggess. Her caption was “For the Love of God, Someone Buy Me This,” and it linked to Cushzilla’s Panda Suit. It got me thinking.

I decided that just asking readers to purchase something so I could wear it was not enough, so I offered something in return: a good time.

It went like this: Anyone that donated to the Panda Suit Cause would receive a Panda Suit Photo Shoot as part of the process. They could either take photos of me in the suit at any location of choice, or they could wear the suit themselves. I launched a Gofundme page in about ten minutes and blogged it for giggles. Six hours later, five people donated enough money for the suit.

My offer read like this:

“I want a panda suit. If I get a panda suit through donations, I will personally come to each donator’s place (home, work, or other location) and have a photo shoot with you, me, and the panda suit.  I will also post the photos on my blog (if you want me to) and we will have great stories to tell. I’d also be happy to promote your business and use it as a promotional blog. All for fun. 

*** No, I will not sleep with you or do the nasty in the panda suit, but we will laugh a lot. 

I think this is worth $5.00 or $10.00 or $15.00. Come on, donate to the cause of the Panda Suit!”

My first shoot was on the Oregon Coast. The best part of the process was the joy I saw on people’s faces when I walked by them in the panda suit. Strangers and friends couldn’t stop giggling. I even received emails thanking me for being silly, and saying that seeing the Panda Suit Shoot on the Oregon Coast cheered them up. One woman said she went back to the photos over and over because it overwhelmed her with joy.

Of the five friends that donated, one is going to Hawaii with me this week and we intend on doing a Panda Shoot in Maui. An old high school friend that lives in New York City donated to the cause and we’re doing a shoot in Manhattan in June.

Looks like I have a new mission: to change the world one Panda Suit Shoot at a time.