The kindness of strangers
Let’s see … I have 296 names on my Facebook contact list. Many of them are people I’ve never met, people I would not know if we were to meet in real life unless we identify ourselves, but because of some shared interest, we are online friends.
Such shared interests include giant pandas, the singer-songwriter Janis Ian, and gadgets. Yet, when I posted a request yesterday evening, and personally sent the same request via the Facebook message system to almost 200 names on my contact list, the response has been very positive. I am overwhelmed and the phrase “the kindness of strangers” comes to mind.
The request is giant panda related. Suzanne Braden, director of Pandas International, has been shortlisted for the Animal Planet Hero of the Year 2009 award. Voting began yesterday and will continue for the next two weeks, ending on 27 September. Just to be shortlisted is an honour in itself; to win would, to use a cliche, be icing on the cake.
The award includes a US$10,000 donation to the animal welfare organisation of the winner’s choice. If she wins, Suzanne will donate it to the precious giant pandas that Pandas International, the organisation she founded back in 1999, has supported all these years.
For some reason, the contest actually allows multiple votes per person but this is limited to one vote per email address per day. I have voted three times so far, including, for some reason, twice yesterday evening and just once this evening. There was a thank you page after my vote this evening which included the following statement:
Please note that your vote is only counted once per day. Any other votes will not be included in the final tally. If you’ve already voted today, please come back in 24 hours to cast another vote.
The voting is one of three criteria to be considered by the judges and carries 25% towards the final score; the other two criteria are level of accomplishments and impact of the Nominee’s actions (40%), and inspirational value that the Nominee’s actions have had on others (35%).
Suzanne Braden’s nomination has further highlighted the plight of the giant pandas, especially in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake on 12 May 2008. To have been nominated is an honour in itself; winning the award will bring much needed funds that will go towards the on-going conservation efforts as well as the urgent replanting of bamboo destroyed in the 2008 earthquake.
If you would like to help Pandas International continue its on-going support of the giant pandas, please vote for Suzanne Braden here.
The giant pandas say Xie Xie Ni (thank you)!
