Many folks who know me would have never guessed in a million
years that I would be sitting here writing to you as a vegan. Not just “vegan”
being someone who abstains from ingesting any foods made of animals or animal
byproducts, but a full-fledged, non-leather buying, synthetic material wearing,
cosmetic scrutinizing, compassion practicing, anti-speciesist, human being. Hell, ask me the same question a
year ago and I probably would have said the same thing.
I came across a quote last week:
You will recognize your own path
when you come upon it, because you will suddenly have all the energy and
imagination you will every need.
--Sara
Teasdale
When I read that, everything I have been doing and developing
was put in this perfect little word nugget, and I am excited that I found it. I
learned something about myself in that instant.
I have been vegan for less than a year. I’ll tell you, it
feels like longer…but then I listen to people tell me stories about 5 years ago…10
years ago…15 years ago…20 years ago…and I feel like less, like I haven’t done enough,
like I will never do enough. There is some truth to all of that. I know I cannot
devote all of my time to fighting for the rights of animals and the health of
our planet.
In addition to being a member of mainstream America…I am not
an anarchist, I do not go directly against the grain. I prefer to redirect people,
give them new information and help them formulate new opinions. I feel very
little can be accomplished by arguing, through violence, and other forms of disobedience.
It is not in my nature to break rules; I’d rather change them.
So , how can I be an activist? I don’t know the answer to
the question…but here is what I have going on right now…
In the name of my employer…The (vegan) Caterer…We are
hosting a benefit for Green Acres
Farm Sanctuary. This sanctuary has been around for 5 years, and just in the
past year and a half became a qualified non-profit. The husband and wife team
host dozens of rescued animals who live permanently, as well as fostering
puppies and dogs from a nearby no-kill shelter. We are so excited to be able to
help create awareness for this amazing organization which is doing all it can
to save animals from needlessly being exploited and murdered.
In addition to benefiting a great organization the purpose
of this benefit is to bring together as many people from the community as
possible in support of a common goal. To listen to respected community member and
business owner Tim Hitchins discuss the importance of building a strong
foundation of businesses, organizations and individuals to drive the movement
forward and into a positive light. So far we have tid-bits of information, but
I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see what the rest of the talk has in
store.
As I have begun coordinating this benefit I have become
overwhelmed by the community’s response. I have yet to be turned down by any business
for product donations for our raffle. Every raffle prize will come from a vegan
business from around the northwest! It is an amazing feeling to pour your heart
and soul into something and have the response of people be exactly everything
you ever hoped and imagined it could be.
As someone who can without a doubt still count my vegan and
vegetarian friends on one hand it is an incredible experience. This benefit is
like my sweet 16 of veganism…my coming out party…I’m here to help, support and give
whatever I can so we can all work toward our common goal.
In all my success collecting prizes and support from local
businesses, I hope that we are successful in recruiting individuals to join us
for the event. The ticket holders, the people who want to support this amazing
organization, and be a part of the foundation of the community. On paper it is
a sure thing…but we need people to come celebrate the love in their own lives
with a group of people who share interests and concerns for the welfare of the
planet’s many creatures.
I personally invite you to attend our benefit this Valentine’s
Day, February 14 at 7pm. Please bring dates, friends, acquaintances, and anyone
who may be curious about veganism. It is a great opportunity to show
non-subscribers all of the benefits of being a part of something so amazing;
something that has changed my life in a very short time, and would no doubt
contribute to their quality of life.
Click
HERE to purchase
tickets!
Soy Curls are amazing. If you have never had them, I highly recommend ordering some. (Unless you live in the Portland area you can pick them up at tons of places.)
The most important task was finding a great place to bestow
all of our fundraisings on…it took some time, but we settled on Green Acres Farm Sanctuary in
Silverton, Or. It was important to us that the beneficiary was ethical, and local.
Much of the theme of our benefit is about creating a great community, and
supporting the elements of it. We are so glad to have been introduced to Green
Acres, and look forward to working with them for future events!
In other exciting news, I contacted the genius behind Will Travel for Vegan Food and invited her
to the event. She is a great blogger and traveler who is going around the US
eating at all of the vegan spots each state has to offer. Since we are not a
restaurant I thought this would be a great opportunity for her to taste what we
have to offer! She has created a contest to get someone to come as her date! I
have been following her on Instagram (@wtfveganfood) for many months, and I
look forward to meeting her. 
I will be located at The (vegan) Caterer’s booth promoting our services! We will have a slide show of many of our tasty dishes, sample menus, and we have a promotion for 10% off your order if you book an event before 3/31/2013!! (Some restrictions apply…but they are super reasonable J)
· 10 meals per week prepared by The (vegan) Caterer. Lunch and Dinner M-F
