Sending Love South- Ride to Benefit Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Dear Friends, Family, and Loved Ones,

With the hectic demand of nursing grad school and the short sweetness of Seattle summer comes grandiose adventure planning for our summer break. On top of the agenda is a bike ride from Seattle to Portland leaving August 22nd to enjoy the breweries, float down the Deschutes, and ride the train back up along the Pacific Coast. No, we won't be decked out in spandex, have never tried clip-ins, and one of us only recently learned the word "pannier"! (MM) But we thought as long as we're at it, we might as well make the experience more valuable by raising money for a cause that's near and dear to our hearts- the victims of the Gulf Coast Oil Spill.

On April 20, 2010, the resilient and alluring coastline of South Louisiana took yet another devastating blow. For those who know the beauty and bounty of the Gulf Coast as their means of livelihood and recreation, their passion and heritage, and for those who've never had the pleasure of experiencing her charm, we will all be forever impacted by this extraordinary disaster. The spill has impacted the jobs of some 4,000 fisherman who bring in $2.4 billion annually from shrimp, oysters, and other seafood. An estimated 375,000 to 700,000 birds were killed by the Exxon Valdez spill, and it is impossible to know now how many sea turtles, pelicans, manatees and other wildlife will be sacrificed from this entirely preventable disaster. It is heart wrenching.

Yes, this is different from a natural disaster such as Katrina in that it's easy to point fingers and demand BP take full responsibility. But we have to remember that 70% of our earth's surface is covered in water, and there are hardworking people and voiceless creatures who need our support now. Unfortunately we can never undo the damage that's been done, but hopefully tragedies like this will make us take a hard look at how things went wrong so this can never happen again. And it reminds us to take advantage of the beauty that surrounds us everyday, however you decide to do that.

One hundred percent of all donations sent will go to the Greater New Orleans Foundation Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund and will be granted to organizations working tirelessly in the effected areas. If you wish to make a donation to specifically support the wildlife rescue and clean-up efforts, there are additional links below.

Thank you in advance for your support. Our hearts will be thinking of the Gulf Coast and its people and animals as we cruise south to Portland. If you give more than $25, we'll send you a soundtrack from the trip and gifts over $50 may merit a call when we get there! (Mom). Who knows, maybe we'll even get inspired and go all the way to New Orleans...

Blessings for a beautiful summer,

Stefanie Davidson, Erika Ross, & Mary Margaret Thomas

p.s. We'll post pictures once it's all said and done! :) And if you'd like to join us, this is an open event!

National Wildlife Federation: https://online.nwf.org/site/Donation2?df_id=16711&16711.donation=form1

Audubon Institute: http://www.auduboninstitute.org/oil-spill-rescue-fund

Greater New Orleans Foundation: http://www.gnof.org/programs/gulf-coast-oil-spill-fund/disaster-on-the-gulf-coast/