Special Campaign: ‘GIVE’ + Endangered Species Educational
In the month of October we conducted a special promotion under the theme “GIVE”. Under this campaign, we identified four local charities whose work related to 4 international days occurring during the month of October, and contributed 5% of the weekend’s sales at Alexandra Place to each charity (throughout a period of 4 weekends).
The four international events were selected to commemorate World Animal Day, World Children’s Day, International Day for older persons and World Habitat Day and the respective cheques were handed over to the Local Charitable Organizations today. The following are the Institutions that were in attendance for the presentation of the cheques:
- Conservation Project funding-Purple face leaf monkey-Related to World Animal Day
- Chitra Lane School-Related to World Children’s Day
- Helpage Sri Lanka-Related to International Day for the Elders
- Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka-Related to World Habitat Day
World Animal Day Ambassador’s Special Message:
“Today is World Animal Day, a day dedicated universally to celebrate the magical relationship between humans and animals. Around the world, individuals and organizations use this day to focus attention in particular, on the plight of endangered species and the need for a collective commitment to conservation. Sri Lanka is home to 671 species that are categorized as ‘Endangered’ in the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is an undisputed fact that rapid development, loss of habitats and pollution will make their situation worse and threaten even more species, unless there is greater awareness of the need to achieve a healthy balance between human needs and the imperatives of nature.
I am privileged to be Sri Lanka’s World Animal Day Ambassador, and have used my position as a business leader and entrepreneur to support many initiatives that create greater awareness of the importance of protecting animals, both in their natural habitats as well as in the community. As the world celebrates yet another World Animal Day today, I call upon all Sri Lankans to think about what they can do to promote a higher level of consciousness that it is our responsibility to protect precious animal species and their habitats. Let us be part of something special and join animal lovers around the world to acknowledge the diverse roles that animals play in enriching our lives — from being our companions, supporting and helping us, to bringing a sense of wonder into our lives. Animals have a positive impact on the lives of millions of people every day of the year. It is now our turn to show that we care, by doing whatever we can to help raise awareness about the needs of animals.
Happy World Animal Day.”
Otara Gunewardene World Animal Day Ambassador-Sri Lanka
Four endangered or threatened species endemic to Sri Lanka-the Sri Lankan Elephant, the Sri Lankan Leopard, the Chestnut-backed Owlet and the Purple-faced Langur-will be the focus of a creative awareness campaign to be conducted by Odel to mark World Animal Day 2011. The store plans to use fun to impart information and awareness among children and adults about these and other endangered endemic animals. Children who visit Odel’s flagship Alexandra Place store from 1 to 9 October will receive on a first come, first served basis, facemasks depicting the four chosen Sri Lankan animals, as the community-conscious fashion retailer promotes its cause for World Animal Day 2011. Each mask will have information printed on its inner surface about the animal it depicts, to support Odel’s message of conservation. An information desk is also to be manned by enthusiastic members of the Young Zoologists Association of Sri Lanka during the weekends of 1 and 2 October and 8 and 9 October to provide additional information to visitors on these and other threatened or endangered endemic animals. “A creative approach that captures the attention of the younger generation is needed to increase awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation,” said Odel founder and CEO and World Animal Day ambassador Otara Gunewardene. “This novel programme combines information with fun, and will, we hope, leave a lasting impression on our young visitors and others.” Odel will also set aside Rs. 5 of every Rs. 100 spent at the Alexandra Place Store on souvenirs and Embark products during the 8 and 9 October for a project initiated by the Wildlife Conservation Society of Galle for the conservation of the Purple-faced Langur.
- Organised by: ODEL/Embark