Michelle Bergh
Polar Bear International Children's Talent Show/Fundraisers 2009
When I was 8, I heard a story about the polar bears facing extinction because of global warming. The Arctic ice cap is melting, so the polar bears now have to swim farther for their food. This is causing many to drown or starve to death. Polar bear cubs are cared for by their mothers for 2-3 years, and half the cubs die before they reach age two.
The story was so sad that I cried myself to sleep that night. So, I decided to do volunteer work to try to help them. My mom helped me research organizations that helped polar bears. Polar Bears International stood out. They pay for their operation costs by selling gift items, so that all of the donations received go directly to helping the polar bears. Their scientists track the bears and do research, and they educate the public on how we can all help by going green. Their web site is: www.polarbearsinternational.org.
My first fundraising effort for PBI was a lemonade stand. Listen to the link to my speech and you'll quickly figure out why I decided to do a talent show instead next time! (hint: 95 degrees, melting lemonade ice, melting cookies and then pouring rain!).
I put on my first talent show/fundraiser in 2009. I had WCCO TV News Anchor, Mr Don Shelby, give opening remarks, and Miss America's "South Central" (later Miss Minnesota), Natalie Davis, be the co-emcee with me.
Starting in 2009, I also began giving speeches about the bears and how we can help. I hope my efforts are making a difference!
Please scroll all the way to the bottom - I have LOTS of things to share!
- Michelle Bergh introducing WCCO TV News Anchor Mr. Don Shelby
Opening Remarks for my Childrens Talent Show Fundraiser. Part of the funds raised were donated to Feline Rescue. I also had a food barrel there for The Neighborhood House Food Shelf and collected over 220 pounds of food, enough to feed 15 families of 4 for an entire month!
- WCCO TV Anchor Don Shelby's comments (cut)
Some of the comments Don Shelby made.
- Michelle Bergh's Polar Bears Fundraiser Speech
This explains why I wanted to help the polar bears! I also gave a speech about how we can help the polar bears by going green (like using warm or cold water instead of hot, recycle, and walk or bike instead of drive). That speech is farther down on this page.
- Minnesota Angels performance
This was just one of the acts at the fundraiser.
- Going Green speech
Above: This is the speech I give to groups about how we can all help by going green. I talk about specific things we can do to go green and help the bears and the environment.
Below: The first time I ever saw a polar bear was at Como Zoo. I was sad to learn that they paced back and forth because they were stressed and didn't have appropriate habitat. But I was excited to learn that Como Zoo planned a HUGE upgrade for their bears. Como Zoo loves bears and even donated some items for my Polar Bear International fundraiser.
The new polar bear exhibit opened in June of 2010. I was SO excited to learn that the leaders from Polar Bears International would be there in person for the opening - and I got to meet them!!! They were all so nice, and I got to spend about 40 minutes with them.I'm pictured here with PBI President, Robert Buchanan; Dr. Don Moore from the Smithsonian; and PBI Vice President, Krista Wright. Dr. Moore gave me a book that he wrote about animals, and Robert and Krista invited me to attend their leadership camp when I turn 15! I can't wait!!!
ABOVE was my first lemonade stand/fundraiser for Polar Bears International and Feline Rescue in 2008. (And one of my customers!) I was 8 years old.
BELOW: All set up and ready for my first customer at one of my 2010 lemonade stands!
ABOVE: Even though it was 95 degrees, the cookies & ice melted, and we got rained out, I still made over $200 for the organizations that day! I've raised several hundred dollars total from all of the lemonade stands combined!
BELOW: Getting everything set up for one of my 2010 lemonade stands. I handed out brochures about the bears and how we can help. I also handed out brochures about American's National Teenager Scholarship Organization because a lot of people don't know that they value character, academics AND community service - and that you can earn scholarships through their organization.
