This past weekend witnessed an extraordinary event as the Potted Community came together in celebration and generosity. Hundreds of our players gathered not only to celebrate Cort’s birthday, but also to make a difference in the lives of Thailand’s captive elephants, by raising money for the Gentle Giants Elephants organization.

Gentle Giants is a non-profit dedicated to rescuing and improving the lives of these gentle giants in captivity. These magnificent creatures have faced unimaginable hardships, and Gentle Giants works tirelessly to lessen their suffering and provide them with a safe, nurturing environment.

The response from the Potted Community was overwhelming. Over these two days, our members raised a whopping total of $4300 USD. Every single dollar was donated to Gentle Giants Elephants, providing much-needed support for their invaluable work.

There are no words to truly express how grateful and amazed we are to see such support from our members. This has shown us what we can achieve when we band together to make a positive change in the world. We have proven that we are so much more than just a game. We are a force for good, united and determined to make a difference.

To everyone who participated and contributed, thank you. Your kindness will reach far beyond our virtual world, and will make a real difference in the continued efforts to care for those already saved, and to continue the rescue efforts for those still in need.

It is Cort’s dearest wish to see Gentle Giants Elephants join the ranks of Second Life’s non-profit organizations, so that we may continue our fundraising goals not only within our Potted Community, but across the entire virtual grid.

To highlight this, we invited our members to share their thoughts on how the weekend impacted them personally. Here are their words.

Dear Diana and Colby of Gentle Giants Elephants:

“What an incredible event held in our virtual world. Cort and her staff did an amazing job in not only fundraising, but also to bring an invaluable amount of awareness to your cause. I learned more about what we are doing to these gentle giants than I would have without this event. I hope you will come and see the possibilities here in Second Life. Thank you for the work you are doing to bring some peace to the life of elephants who have been so mistreated.”

– Iris Roseheart

“I have to admit, that I haven’t given a thought to elephants and what they go through until this weekend. I am in West Texas, and don’t live in an area where elephants are unless we go to the zoo. This weekend raised my awareness thanks to Cort and our Potted family. They did a fantastic event to honor these gentle giants, with information available for us to read, as well as products we could buy to help support. The outpouring of love for this fundraiser was shown by all that were able to attend it.”

– Sloan MacIntyre

“The Potted Community is a close knit group that genuinely cares about the fate of the elephants you are trying to save. Through the hard work of Cort and her Potted staff, the community joined together to raise $4300 in two days. In the next days, we have been informed that we have the opportunity through the purchase of additional merchandise to again contribute to the Gentle Giants we all love so much. I honestly feel you will find that adding Gentle Giants as an official non-profit organization into Second Life will enable you to save more elephants than ever imagined.”

– Annie Hancroft

“Firstly, thank you for the work you are doing. It is amazing! Secondly, I knew nothing about it. That though, has changed, thanks to Cort and her passion. They have opened a lot of eyes into the work you and the charity do. I tried to attend all of the events they held, but was not able to due to the amount of people wanting to be there to support this wonderful cause. People from all over the globe playing this game called Second Life, wanting to help real life charities to support their good work. It really is a small world.”

– Shaun Barbasz

“I am truly happy to be a part of this amazing fund-raising event. I believe Second Life is a very powerful platform when it comes to things like this. Many people scattered all over the world join hands for a single mission “Saving the Elephants”. Highly appreciate what you guys are doing to save those amazing creatures. Together we can change the world!”

– Nix Steven

“What you do is amazing, and inspiring. We’d love to see you in Second Life, and you would be most welcome. Many people would love the chance to gain more knowledge. Keep up the great work & thank you.”

– Jaden Baldur

“As the figures raised suggest, this is an awesome community created by our founder Cort Brandriss here in Second Life. Your cause is so dear to her heart and the hearts of many who helped to raise this money over her birthday weekend! We all hope to be able to help the elephants again in any way that we can. Thank you for doing what you do!”

– Claudia Dereham

“I attended the event held by Potted in Second Life. I can say that the way they put on the event touched me and made me aware of the plight of these amazing animals. Please know my heart is with you, and I was thrilled to donate to the saving grace you provide to these Gentle Giants. God Bless you for all you do.”

– Phoebe Nider

“Elephants have been my favorite animal for as long as I can remember. My house is covered in all sorts of elephant figurines and art. I even have a tattoo. When I saw Gentle Giants was the foundation we were helping, I about cried. What you do for those poor elephants is absolutely amazing. I learned some very disappointing things about how elephants are treated during our events and it broke my heart. We might all be helping from within an online social “game”, but we can still do big things. If you give us the chance, we know we can help so much more!”

– Lucy Snugglepuff

“First, I want to tell you THANK YOU for EVERYTHING you’re doing for these elephants – you truly are a Blessing. Secondly, Secondlife is a platform that allows many people from around the world the ability to come together for a cause we strongly believe in. We were able to do that through the actions of the staff at Potted through the fundraising event they hosted. We were able to have TONS of fun and were also educated on the plights these elephants faced in their lives. Without this fundraiser many of us would still be unaware of the mistreatment and dangers these elephants have faced; with that education, my heart told me to do what I could to donate to your amazing charity Gentle Giants. Thank you!”

– Adena

“I could not express my feelings after this event. To do something to help these gentle giants touched my heart and my soul. It also broke my heart to learn the cruel mistreatment of these defenseless animals. Second life is a great place to learn and spread awareness. We have many charities with in the community, and if you became official with in SL I am sure many would help this wonderful cause.”

– Kris Wolff

“Thank you for doing what you do, you do a lot to preserve the beauty of elephants! Keep doing what you do to save the elephants and heal the world!”

– Luna Evergarden

“First and foremost, I want to say I love elephants. It will be a sad day for us all if the wild was no longer home to these wondrous animals. Please believe in us as we believe in you, and your belief in them.”

– Milla Puddlegum

“I wanted to express my most sincere thanks to you both. I have never seen a Elephant aside from the Zoo or TV. These animals are so gentle, kind, smart, and just flat out amazing. Thank you for all you do to help these amazing animals.”

– Christina H.

“I have a large network of friends and family here and we all have different talents that we bring to this virtual world, and our efforts could be a great blessing to your organization and the elephants. I always say it’s better to work together to accomplish our dreams.”

– Elliot Evergarden

“We have a heart beat and we want to share it with your cause and the dearest of hearts, the elephants. Thank you!”

– Flower

From all of us at Potted, thank you.

Together, we will be the light we wish to see in the world.