I'm sure you guys saw that Blizz has a new pet in their pet store, the Cenarion Hatchling. I have actually never bought a pet from the Blizz store, even when the incredibly cute moonkin pet was released. But I did something I've never done this morning and bought the Cenarion Hatchling pet. Why? Well, when I read that 100% of the proceeds were going to the American Red Cross's Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief efforts, it was a no brainer for me.
I didn't mention it on this blog, but the earthquake and tsunami in Japan hit very close to home for me. While I am Korean by ethnicity, I was actually born in Sendai, Japan and my family lived there for 5 years while my dad was getting his Ph.D. Sendai has always been very close to my heart and I was devastated by the destruction of its coastal areas.
So for a cause so incredibly close to my heart to coincide with this game seems to me like more than just coincidence. And given that I've blogged here on Tree of Life for almost 4 years with nothing more to give you than my witty sarcasm and silly sense of humor, I figure its time to offer something more.
Thus, I am offering these pets as gifts. Leave a comment if you are interested. I will have Jess then use his statistical brilliance to pick comments at random and will put up a post with the names of those who have won. Then you can shoot me an email and we'll arrange for me to gift the pet to you. (FYI, I will probably need help on how to gift a pet to someone, because remember I am technically challenged).
To keep it simple, please only one comment per person. I am going to keep comments open for 48 hours. Comments will be closed at about 3 pm CST on Thursday, May 5 and winners will be announced on Friday, May 6. I haven't completely decided yet how many will win, but I am planning on buying at least 10 pets. Heck, maybe I'll only get 10 comments, and everyone can win!
And yes, this is open to guildies as well.
*Update: Sakaki of Tree Sproutling has generously donated a Cenarion Hatchling to this cause as well. Thanks so much Sakaki! I'm sure the future owner will be thrilled. :)
Oh, I so want one of these! And congratulations for your efforts to help them!
ReplyDeleteI applaud your efforts for donating. And, it's honestly amazing how close the earthquake and resulting tsunami is to all of us.
ReplyDeleteTwo of my friends were close to Sendai when the tsunami hit. It was quite nail-biting to wait for them to contact us, but eventually news got around that they were safe, thankfully.
As close as the pet is to the Hippogryph Hatchling pet is from the TCG, I still wish I could donate. Being unemployed is harsh and I'm literally living on time paid months ago.
I do not want the pet but I just wanted to shake your leafy, proverbial hand for doing something selfless and awesome like this. Bravo, K. :)
ReplyDeleteI already got mine, so if you picked me for whatever strange reason, I'd gift it to someone else who would adore it.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am not in any way blood-linked to Japan, my husband was born at Zama Army Hospital while his father were stationed there and I have my own, odd link.
We lived on Guam when I was young and that for me was 1971-1973 (yes, I know I'm old now). One time my father was holding me and this Japanese couple came over, smiled, Dad nodded, and they lifted me from his arms, carried me off a few feet, took pictures, and then handed me back to Dad. I remember being a little bewildered at the time, because no words were spoken, it was all just expressions and gestures.
But somewhere in Japan, there is a couple that has a couple of pictures of me from when I was 6 or 7 years old. Why, I've honestly never been sure, but every once in a while through the years, I've remembered them.
When the news about the earthquake and tsunami came, I thought of them again. Were they okay, what about their family and community? Did they have to flee their area, or were they lost like so many others... so many questions that I will never have a way to answer.
But I still think of them.
Well, if I win, Jess will have to work his magic again and pick another because I've bought mine already! I wanted to say what a lovely gesture though and to send you lots of good wishes.
ReplyDeleteAlternatively you could donate it to whoever YOU feel is most worthy on my (and your) behalf. then it would be a gift of a gift from avid pet collectors and bloggers :)
Actually, and I hope this doesn't affect your stats friend, but you can leave me out of the drawing; instead, I'm going to go buy my own and get a few for friends as gifts. Thanks for bringing this to our attention and for the great charitable idea.
ReplyDeleteOoh, i'd love one of these little fellas, they're adorable :D I hope none of your friends/family in Sendai were hurt by the events there. It was certainly heart-wrenching to watch it unfold.
ReplyDeleteEep, don't give me one! Just wanted to say I bought 5 pets myself. Giving them to friends is nice, but my friend wants to buy me one so I can't use it myself :( I've always wanted a hippo too! /sigh guess I've waited so long a few more days isn't much.
ReplyDeleteAlso, uhh I'll email you =o
I have been following your blog for 3 years and I never knew you had korean ethnicity! Not that it changes anything, just helps imagine the writer behind the words. :) Anyway this is a pet that will always hold special meaning and I'd be exhilarated if I won it :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love one of the little guys! They're adorable!
ReplyDeleteI think what you're doing is quite an awesome way to help :)
I'm happy that Blizzard is Donating the proceeds to a good cause, Hopefully everyone you know is well and safe. The pets is quite cute and I know my son would love to give one a good home.
ReplyDeleteI am usually a mount whore, but I am trying to get to 100 so I am in for a shot at a win.
ReplyDeleteYou are the nicest mean tree ever.
ReplyDeleteIt's a really great move from blizzard. It doesn't really cost them much (the model already exists) and it gives people willing to donate at least something back
ReplyDeleteLike Rades, I do not want the pet (especially as I'm not playing WoW atm) but I did really want to applaud your post *hugs*.
ReplyDeleteI'm a complete lurker who nonetheless has greatly enjoyed your blog for a long time. I'm so sorry to hear of your deep ties to Sendai, it must have been devastating for a disaster to strike at the exact spot you care about. I would love to enter your awesome contest.
ReplyDeleteWow. You're doing a great thing here - kudos and awe to you for doing it. I'll be sharing this with the Pot's readership today so you might get a few extra entries (sorry everyone).
ReplyDeleteOn a separate personal note, I'd also like to enter (so long as you're able/planning to provide codes from the EU store? If not, then discount me :)) It's a stunningly good cause and I have someone close to me playing who would like the pet. So if RNG is kind then that'd be great. If not, gratz to the winners!
I would like to enter this contest because this is a great way to help out those poor people in Japan. I applaud you for being so generous and giving. /cheers
ReplyDeleteI would like to enter the contest to show support for a friend I made through Warcraft. I personally have donated to the relief, and I'm sure she would be ecstatic about the new pet and support for the cause.
ReplyDeleteLove this contest idea. I also love that Blizz is contributing to the relief efforts in Japan with such an adorable pet.
ReplyDeleteGreat contest for a great cause! Happy to participate and glad to see Blizz supporting the continued relief efforts.
ReplyDeleteWow, hadn't realized the proceeds were going to Japan.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Japan twice--once as a military kid on Okinawa and once as a missionary in Osaka. When I looked at the video coverage of the tsunami, the neighborhoods looked so much like the normal neighborhoods I had seen in the Osaka area that it really hit home. I was so glad that the people I had known were away from that area.
Thank you for doing this! /salute and /bow to you for your humanitarian effort.
ReplyDeleteI already got mine, so fricken cute. But if I win I know someone else who won't be able to pick one up but would love to help. Awesome job.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely thing to do.
ReplyDeleteWow, very nice idea and for a good cause too!
ReplyDeleteI am incredibly touched by this post - what an incredible idea. I would love one of these pets, and wish I had the funds to duplicate your gesture myself.
ReplyDelete--Megan
I'd love one! And what a sweet idea. Cheers to you and to Blizzard for donating 100%.
ReplyDeleteFound my way here through the Melting Pot. So I already "won" by finding a new druid blog. This is a great idea for a contest to help spread some awareness about an important issue. I was really happy when I saw that Blizzard was doing this and this is a great way to take advantage of their offer. Full disclosure: if I win one of your pets I will probably figure out a way to give it to someone else that would enjoy it more.
ReplyDeleteI'm a longtime reader of your blog and I think what you're doing is great! I have really enjoyed the iTunes album of Songs for Japan that had 100% of profits going to the Red Cross and I would love to sport a Cenarion Hatchling pet. I would love to be entered into your contest.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeleteI think that you're doing this for such a good cause is pretty amazing. Big thumbs up for you!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, the world needs more niceness in it!
ReplyDelete