Elaine Di Battista
Cause: Edgar’s Mission
Adventure: Edgar’s Mission Trek for Kindness Sumatra Trek 2018
As our Fundraiser of the Month, Elaine has scored herself a $50 donation to her fundraising page. To be our next month’s winner, make sure you’re uploading your journey to social and use the hashtag #IveBeenInspired.
What motivated you to take on your Inspired Adventure?
I did a cycle challenge for Plan Australia for Girls’ Education in 2013 with Inspired Adventures and it completely changed my life. I now appreciate how lucky I am to live in this wonderful country and how and why many people in developing countries struggle. As a result of going on the cycle, I now travel to Cambodia about once a year to help out over there with Cambodian Cocoon.
Also, I love Edgar’s Mission. Pam Ahern’s stories on Edgar’s website are uplifting, can be somewhat sad, but nearly always have a happy ending and are educational. I have stopped eating most animals products, however, my aim is to be 100% vegan. I have also visited EM on numerous occasions with different friends to share the joy of Edgar’s and education about the factory farming industry.
I love orangutans and follow the Palm Oil Investigation site and use their app when shopping to avoid buying any products with palm oil, especially uncertified palm oil. It really is tragic what is happening to the world’s rainforests, especially in Indonesia, because of palm oil production. Therefore when I saw this trek, I knew I just had to jump on board!
How are you feeling about the challenge ahead? Have you ever been to South East Asia before?
I am looking forward to the actual trek, however there is a lot of work to do in preparation for the challenge, both fundraising and physically. Sometimes I feel a bit anxious or overwhelmed about it – and sometimes I feel on top of the world. Life can be so busy and it can be hard to find the time to do the organising for fundraising and the training, but I know I will be okay!
What have been some of the highlights of your Inspired journey so far?
I feel confident and in awe of how wonderful my friendship groups are and how people never cease to amaze me with their support and generosity.
"I love orangutans and follow the Palm Oil Investigation site. I use their app when shopping to avoid buying any products with palm oil, especially uncertified palm oil."
Do you have any tips for other people currently fundraising for their Inspired Adventure?
I have learnt that it never hurts to ask – the worst thing that can happen is that someone will say no.
I called my vet a few weeks back, as I remembered he had an Edgar’s Mission donation box on the counter when I took my dogs for their yearly check up, and thought they might be interested in the Husk Cups with EMs logo on the band. I rang them and they said to bring them in. The owner bought a stack of them for all his staff worth about $250! They are now selling the Husk Cups to some of their customers at the front desk.
Have you noticed any changes or transformation in your life since taking on your first adventure?
This is my second adventure, but as I said above, my life definitely transformed and I expect this challenge to do the same. I have found that so many people do not realise the things that are happening to animals in factory farms and are shocked and astounded when I inform them. I am careful how to approach this with people and wait for the right opportunity to do so, to ‘plant a seed’ so to speak, so that they may investigate this further themselves and hopefully visit Edgar’s and decide to cut down or cut out animal-containing foods.
"I feel confident and in awe of how wonderful my friendship groups are and how people never cease to amaze me with their support and generosity. "
What advice would you offer to other people looking to complete a challenge like this?
To think outside the square and don’t be afraid to ask.
If you are not successful with a fundraiser, don’t give up (I had a garage sale last weekend and was disappointed with the $$ result). One of my friends had a Thermomix demonstration at her house. The consultant suggested I sell Thermomix raffle tickets, they are $20 each and people tend to go nuts over them. I aim to sell 200 with the help of my friendship group. The first 100 tickets buy the Thermomix (valued at $2000) and the $$ from any tickets sold after the first 100 will go directly to Edgar’s Mission – so if you’re trying to find another way to raise money, ring Thermomix and find out how to contact your local Thermomix consultant.
Don’t be afraid to ask people to help out (such as your vet, local businesses or friends) with fundraising. If you have a friend who makes and sells candles, jewellery, etc. ask them if they would like to donate some of the profit towards your cause if you sell some of the items for them. My friend owns Husk Cups and she offered for me to sell them to raise money for EM. It’s a win for her, and most importantly, EM. She has also made jewellery to sell on Etsy in the past, and has given me some jewellery to sell at work etc. Show a friend an uplifting video on EM’s website, and open up the conversation about EM’s work that way. Why not invite friends to go on a visit with you to EM in the springtime?
Become our Fundraiser of the Month to win a $50 donation to your fundraising page!
Take a picture whilst fundraising for your adventure and use the hashtag #IveBeenInspired and your adventure hashtag. The most exciting use of the hashtag, with a fundraising focus will be our Fundraiser of the Month – it’s that easy!
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