JBOO46

Hey guys, I don't know if I'm allowed to post this here, but I'll give it a shot.

So I have an idea for a birthday "gift" for Ian. I know it's six months away, but that's exactly why I want to get started now. I want to collect funds to help supports Ian's ISF animal sanctuary. You can check out information about the sanctuary here: (ISF Animal Sanctuary! | Ian Somerhalder Foundation).

As we all know, Ian is truly one of the most generous, charitable celebrities out there, and he works tirelessly to support great causes such as this sanctuary. I want to help raise money for this not just because it's Ian, and it's for his birthday, but also because the sanctuary is a cause very dear to my own heart. I own three rescue cats and a rescue dog of my own, I volunteer for my local ASPCA and work to raise money for local animal charities. As you can tell, yes, I love animals. But Ian's sanctuary will be so much more than that, and I love that Ian wants to create a place where "misfit" animals and kids alike can feel at home. I think it's a fantastic idea, but as we all know, such great things cannot happen without monetary support, which is where we come in.

The idea that I have is to raise as much money in six months as possible. Then, at the end of the six months, I plan to present a printout showing the amount to Ian at the Creation Entertainment Salute to the Vampire Diaries convention in Orlando, which happens the weekend of December 8 and 9 (Ian's birthday weekend!)

Please visit my website (still under construction) for the fundraiser (Home Page) and donate whatever amount you can afford - any amount, however big or small, is appreciated. Once you have donated, please fill out the contact form on the website with your personalized message. You may wish him Happy Birthday, but also take a minute to tell him why you are supporting the sanctuary and what it means to you, and include your name (first, first and last, or no name if you wish to remain anonymous). I will then put these messages into a decorative binder, and present him with them at the convention along with the printout showing the total amount raised (the amount will be donated as one lump sum to Ian's charity on Friday, December 7, 2012).

Please feel free to input any of your thoughts and ideas. Also, if you can't afford to donate anything, the best possible thing you can do is SPREAD THE WORD! The more we can collect for the sanctuary, the better.

Thank you!

J.

Schumiac

That's quite a good idea. Since his last birthday I was wondering if it was possible to something like this myself. I especially wondered if it was possible to work together with ISF where the money is donated directly to them (so people feel secure about it) but through the campaign (maybe the name is noted when sending the donation) so one can keep track of how much this particular campaign raised money and who participated. And then it can accumulate till Ian's birthday and presented as a gift to him... Have you contacted ISF about it?

JBOO46

Thanks! I have not contacted them yet, but I will. I want to make sure people feel safe about where their donations are going.

ETA: I just sent them an email, we'll see how they respond

Schumiac

That sounds great! I think if ISF was officially involved it would increase the number of participation for the campaign! Hope you hear from them soon.

JBOO46

Thanks! *fingers crossed* that they get back to me soon.

Also, wondering if you can suggest any other places I can post about this? Already created the website and a twitter for it, any other forums or sites you can think of to post?

My ultimate goal is $5,000. I think if I get the word out there enough, it's possible.

My brain is sort of on overload right now thinking about all this stuff lol!!!

chama

This is an amazing project and a wonderful idea.
It also shows, that our fandom here not only adores Ian as a great actor and mayor hottie, but we also support ISF and his vision of a greener world.

JBOO46

Thanks Yeah I especially love how Ian loves animals. Like I said I've got four rescues of my own (3 cats and a dog), I save strays all the time, volunteer/help fundraise for local shelters, and I'm a vegetarian. So as you can tell, any kind of animal sanctuary, especially one as ambitious as Ian is hoping for, is very near and dear to my heart. Ian really is a remarkable celebrity who uses his fame for nothing but good. I really hope to be able to make this idea work, because what better way to say "thank you/happy birthday" than giving a bunch of money to a cause he holds so dear? I really hope this all pans out!!

Schumiac

I am pretty much always here, not posting in other forums, so can't suggest much:

There is the TVD forum's Damon/Ian thread & DE (Twinflames) thread within (I don't know if they'd allow a separate thread, you could ask the mods there)

Vampire-Diaries.net | A Fansite for the Vampire Diaries is a popular website and I think so is its forums -they may help spread the word out maybe, or allow it to be posted in their forums...

There are Ian/Damon sites like
Ian Somerhalder - Ian Somerhalder Pictures - The Vampire Diaries
Damonic – Damon Salvatore Website

Do you have tumblr? Tumblr and fanpop seem to be popular places to spread the word too? (though Tumblr works best with something like twitter & contacting popular DE/Damon/Ian accounts there and people spreading the news I'd say)

TWOP (televisionwithoutpity.com) is popular too but I really doubt they'd allow this to be posted, they are very strict with their rules. Still, you can contact and ask their mods, too, I guess.

JBOO46

thank you so much, these are great suggestions! I don't have a tumblr but I think now would be a good time to create one

Schumiac

You are welcome... Glad if that helped....

JBOO46

By the way if any of you have twitter feel free to follow me @SBPISFASF

JBOO46

Is it ok for me to keep this bumped? It was on page five

Schumiac

Oh, yes, it is OK to bump it, but double-posting is something we try to refrain from so considerable time needs to pass between two posts. So, if no one else is posting a bump (or two) a day is fine.

Ashley486

very cool..

i will for sure help to spread the word

JBOO46

Thank you!!