January, 2011

Dear friends,

When we started the Elephant Parade adventure, only 5 years ago, we had no idea where it would take us. With a few paper-mâché sample models we knocked on many doors and were many, many times rejected.

But the City and Zoo of Rotterdam (the Netherlands) believed in us and in our goals and mission. They, together with our sponsors, were the ones who made it possible to create the first open air art exhibition in 2007.

The rest is literally history; we've had Elephant Parade exhibitions in great cities and more great cities are following in the coming years. The support of these cities, municipalities, sponsors, artists, volunteers and the general public is enormous. The support is growing too, which is fantastic. It does take years, perseverance and of course some luck to get ahead - and ahead we are getting!

Just imagine if this adventure keeps growing, then the Asian elephant could finally face a happy and safe future! That's in fact how simple it could be and this is our firm belief. We truly think that together with your support, the future of the biggest animal living on land, will be secured!

The creation of The Asian Elephant Foundation not only makes it possible for a flow of money, coming from the sale of merchandise and the auction proceeds, to go straight to conservation projects, but more importantly, you can now donate directly to The Asian Elephant Foundation!

We will continue to offer great help and make an ever increasing difference through all our friends from all over the world in saving this magnificent species.

As Mark Shand of Elephant Family - who organized Elephant Parade London in 2010 - said: "The Elephant Parade is not a solution to save the Asian elephant from extinction. It is the only solution"!

Thank you so much for your support and for spreading the word.

Warm regards,

Marc and Mike Spits
Founders Elephant Parade