Recently, the Bremen High School in Midlothian, Illinois, canceled a fundraising basketball game scheduled for the evening of Monday, January 28, 2008. Head of school is this decision after learning that some of the game participants are likely mistreated or poorly trained. After news spread about the principal stand, he contacted a nationally renowned organization and provides a reward for his courageous decision.
group? PETA "People for the ethical treatment of animals." Basketball player in question? Donkeys.
Yes, you read that right. As it turns out, there is no such thing as "Donkey Basketball" and more than a few groups around the country have used this activity to raise money for various causes.
The author of this blog to solicit funds must admit that a terrible blind spot in the industry wide knowledge, until this morning I did not know such a thing even existed. But now, I'm quite intrigued.
So, what PETA has to say about Donkey basketball? I found this quote in the Chicago Tribune article that reported on this development.
According to Daniel Hauff, who is the animal-in-entertainment specialist for PETA in Chicago, "Donkeys used for such purposes, sometimes in cramped travel trailers and can be abused in order to get them to cooperate. Although federal laws protect many animals from abuse, donkeys are not protected, so that depending on the situation, it may be legal to use them in such activities ."
Hauff went on to praise the director for his conviction. "He was concerned about his students and the animals. These animals are forced to do something that is unpleasant, possibly confusing ."
PETA's Web site actually went into more detail about their views on the subject. "It's hard to believe that something so absurd as" donkey basketball "still exists in this day and age, but unfortunately, it's true. During these cruel" games "that some schools hold as fundraisers-donkeys pull, leg, and arms . participants who have animal handling experience as to abusing animals and forcing them to participate in these games was not bad enough, there is more: how to keep them from the "accident" in court, donkeys are often deprived of food and water for hours before games. donkeys are not protected by the federal animal Welfare Act, and local humane agencies tend to be reluctant to engage in cruelty cases involving donkeys, since employees typically do not have experience in working with donkeys or any knowledge of them. "
Obviously, the local Parent Teacher Association has also jumped on the anti-donkey basketball bandwagon. They are a statement on PETA's website that states, "Children trained to extend justice, kindness and mercy towards animals to become just, kind and considerate in his [interactions] with each other ."
So, all this shouting out against the donkey basketball, I figured it had to be an organized group in favor of this "sport". And that is, companies that rent their asses for the game. (Surprise!)
To be honest, I was able to find a wife-Bonnie Jo Campbell Comstock, Michigan, who really likes donkeys. She lifted her and cares for them like family. She has a website, which is written 4410 word essay about how much loves donkeys. It is a seven-page typed single space. It is quite serious about the donkeys. You can read the text of the essay (if you want), and you can learn about how she was impressed with the way the donkey basketball game she has known over the years were treated. She sums up her essay this quote (and I'm not kidding ...) "If I had ass, I'd rather live a life of leisure, hanging with friends, play in the fight against it, rolling in sandpits and eating every thing I came over, but if I choose a career, I would guess I would seriously consider basketball concert ."
So there you have it. What is everyone getting so excited about?
From my reading and research, the typical financing arrangement between the school and the donkey owners split 60-40 with the donkey owners getting sixty. If gate receipts top $ 3,000, split goes to 50-50.
So, basically, it's hard to imagine a donkey basketball game really points to a large group of schools. After all the time and effort you put into it planning, 60-40 Split is not that great. I have to suppose that in this day and age, there is bound to be a group derived from his community, who will vigorously oppose the action, potentially giving your group a very bad public image.
Bottom-line:. There are many other less offensive, less politically charged and more profitable types of fundraisers to continue unless the donkey basketball
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