A huge opportunity has come our way to help provide a solid foundation for our work to continue here at YDWP. Our group has been entered in an online fundraising competition which ends May 15 at 11:59pm EST. The overall goal is to raise as much money as we can up to the deadline. Whichever of the 30 groups competing has the highest amount raised by the deadline gets an amazing $25,000 extra added to their raised amount. Second place gets $15,000 and third gets $10,000 respectively added to their amount. The rest of the groups simply keep the funds they raised.

Last year, YDWP was entered into a very similar fundraiser. The companies Moosejaw and Patagonia offered a single prize of $5,000 to the group who raised the most money in two weeks. YDWP had some pretty tough competition but our supporters ended up donating the most. We raised $12,000 and won the prize of an additional $5,000, equaling a total pot of $17,000! Our group used this money to purchase a 40 acre parcel that was adjacent to the McCormick Wilderness Area. This was a key parcel in maintaining public access to the wilderness area, in protecting uncut cedar forest, and in providing a buffer zone between federally protected land and private land.

This year, the online competition, known as the Earth Day Challenge, is hosted by the internet company Groupon. YDWP gets 30 days to raise as much as possible to reach 1st place. We know that our supporters will once again help us to the top and keep our work going.

Here is how you can help. Firstly, you can donate! Click on our fundraising page that is provided below and hit Donate. Secondly, you can start your own fundraising page that helps YDWP reach our goal by clicking Join the Team. Thirdly, please take time to send this link to your friends and family via email, Facebook, and Twitter. Help us reach a big audience! Wish us luck and help in any way you can!

http://www.crowdrise.com/yellowdog2012