A silent auction speaking up on polar bear conservation
Each month WWF will be featuring an individual or group that has gone above and beyond to support WWF’s conservation efforts. Through WWF’s Community Panda program, these incredible people have organized events and activities in neighbourhoods across Canada in order to raise funds for WWF. We are very grateful for their support and incredibly proud of their accomplishments.
This month we are featuring Dana Lee. She and her husband are professional photographers. They love to travel and take photographs of nature and wildlife. On a recent polar bear photography tour, they were moved by what they learned about this beautiful species and decided that they wanted to do their part to help protect them. They came up with a creative way to use their hobby for good and created a silent auction where they raffled off beautiful photograph prints as well as some photo books with all proceeds benefitting WWF’s conservation work. They auctioned these items off at the Taiwan Entrepreneurs Society of Toronto gala in February which hosted over 500 guests and raised over $325 for WWF!
(C) Dana Lee
What inspired you to take action for WWF?
I was touched by a polar bear photography tour that I took in 2010. I learned the history of extinct polar bears and would like to take some actions to save them. WWF is a well-known and trusted charity organization that works to save the extinct animals around the globe; therefore I decide to contribute if I can through WWF.
(C) Dana Lee
How did you come up with the idea?
I am a wedding photographer. Photography is my job and also my interest. I like to travel to nature wonders and taking photos of animals on my spare time. Therefore I thought it would be a good idea to participate to use the photos that I took in my trips.
How many participated?
The auction we just did was through a gala event. There were about 500 in attendance and the result was good.
(C) Dana Lee
Who participated in your event/activity (friends, family, community members, school group, office team, customers, etc)?
The host of the event was the Taiwan Entrepreneurs Society of Toronto.
The attendants include community members mainly Canadian/Taiwanese. We also invited some politicians in different levels of government.
Any words of wisdom for other Community Panda participants/organizers?
Do not worry about how much funds you are going to raise. Anything will help. Do it from small and believe in what you are doing. Your good heart will be listened to by a lot of people at the end.
WWF extends a tremendous thanks to Dana for her great leadership and dedication to helping protect Canada’s wildlife and wild spaces.
Interested in organizing an event and fundraising for WWF? It’s easy to get started! Find out more about our Community Panda program and join today!
