Sweet and Sticky Gratitude

By Jennifer Huang

So much to be thankful for this year!

• First off, we have reached 60% of our Indiegogo goal with another 32 days to go! So fingers crossed that we'll make it to the finish line. Thanks so much to all who contributed --even small donations show that the project has broad support, and it means the world. I had been dreading the campaign, and asking friends and family who have already been so supportive throughout the years in regular life, to then give me even more. But the generosity shown for this project has been so encouraging, and I can't thank you enough. So it's a been a real Thanksgiving for me.

• The holiday feasting did created a natural break in the campaign, but now we're revving up again before Christmas gets full bore. So please do share the link with anyone you think might be interested: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-long-rescue-documentary-film.
  
  
• A couple of weeks ago we were fortunate to be invited to the International Justice Mission benefit dinner. It was amazing to see 800+ people gathered to fight trafficking and support this influential organization that conducts rescues of enslaved people around the world. The event was also a true lesson in modern fundraising… They collected our cell phone numbers when we registered, texted us a link to donate online throughout the evening, and then projected the total donations real-time throughout the dinner. Truly inspiring speakers took the stage, including Brian Boland of Facebook, who delivered the very effective ask. We all watched as the number slowly creeped upwards, at $550,000 toward the $650,000 goal. Then suddenly the number jumped up to over $700,000 and there was a burst of surprise and applause from the room. With a matching grant and advance donations, the event netted more than $2 million. 
  
  
• My goals, for the time being, remain more modest. While producing a film is an expensive proposition, we are taking it one step at a time. I am also hoping to get some in-kind donations, like camera gear, drives, and software, from tech and silicon valley foundations. More on that later. 
  
  
• Like so many, I am terribly traditional about Thanksgiving. It doesn't seem right without a turkey, but it's inconceivable without stuffing, gravy, and pie. And cranberries. I like to make a raw cranberry relish that you just chop up in the food processor, but my dad insists on the canned sauce, that comes out with all of the rings from the can on the cranberry tube. Which I have to admit is pretty much yum.
  
  
• While I was at my parent's house, I also started filling honey bears to send to contributors of the Indiegogo campaign. The honey is from a beekeeper who keeps his hives on their avocado farm, so my mom bought 10 gallons from him. It's a dark, rich honey, and my niece and nephew had quite a thrill filling the honey bears. Sticky, finger lickin', delicious. ​

It looks like the development shoot trip will happen in early 2015, as planned. Stay tuned for updates! Thanks again for supporting the project and look forward for your honey bears soon!