Nicole Diodati's Fundraiser:

Years ago when I was a kid I saw a special on TV about a herd of elephants and the matriarch Echo. The special followed Echo and her herd through happy and sad times. What hit me the most was when Echo gave birth to her son Ely. Ely was born disabled, he could not stand on his front legs because they were bent over. While the herd has to travel daily for food and water Echo and her older daughter Enid stayed behind with Ely encouraging him to try and stand on his front legs. Echo did not give up on her son and for 3 days her and her daughter stayed by Elys side encouraging him to stand. Finally Ely got up on his front legs and grew to be a magnificent bull elephant. I want to say it was watching that special that my love and admiration for this unbelievable animal truly began. Watching them you could see how intelligent they are, what a strong bond they have wit their family, their fighting spirit, their love for one another. Elephants are an amazing species and getting the chance to see them in their natural habitat and seeing Echos actual herd where her children and grandchildren still roam free was breathtaking. You can’t even truly describe the feelings you get watching these beautiful creatures totally wild where they belong. But the reality is they have a lot against them. They suffer from extreme droughts and poaching. We need to help raise awareness and do what we can by donating to reputable charity’s fighting the fight to save these beasts so future generations can have the opportunity to enjoy them free and wild like they belong.