Deepwater Horizon oil spill impact

[Aaron Frost]

Dear Fellow Travelers:
EXHALE (www.exploretheunexpected.com) is Unexpected Media Group's new LGBT international online travel magazine. CRAVE Magazine is our international culinary travel online publication featuring food, wine and spirits from around the world. For more information, view the current issue and get a complimentary 2010 digital subscription visit www.crave-mag.com and www.exploretheunexpected.com

As an eco-conscious travel media company, we plan to dedicate a special section in EXHALE's Summer "Adventure and Eco Friendly Travel" issue to documenting the impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and inspiring our readers to help. Since we are a niche media outlet, we also plan to share our coverage after its June 15 publication with other media and environmental organizations worldwide and are asking for your interest and support.
 
We will travel to areas of the Gulf Coast which will likely be heavily impacted by that time. We will volunteer on a wildlife rehabilitation mission with an Audubon Society team there, documenting the economic and environmental impact, while also highlighting the efforts of volunteers and "voluntourists" in the clean-up effort.
 
We are also obtaining credentials to accompany federal officials on a research vessel in the Gulf of Mexico. We will document everything in a poignant, yet uplifting, manner by honestly depicting the damage while highlighting the glimmers of hope in the mess. In this issue and the August issue of CRAVE, we will report on the impact of the seafood industry, while also highlighting bright spots, like the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience and highlighting the region's rich culinary and cultural heritage.
 
As a start-up company, we do not have the advertising support necessary to be able to finance this type of endeavor 100 percent. We are donating our time, space, and expertise, but are basically seeking "underwriting" support from other "green" businesses, including other media outlets, for the direct expenses that we will incur in reporting on this important issue, such as airfare, some lodging, car rental, and meals associated with this trip.
 
For a $500 level of support, we will grant you republishing rights and full-page advertising in the summer issue of EXHALE, which features "Adventure and Eco Travel" destinations worldwide. We will also recognize your sponsorship of this special section, and it will further support the inclusion of a donated ad to a non-profit organization assisting in the clean-up effort. Please let me know if you have any favorite organizations in mind that you would like to "adopt" for this purpose. For a $1000 level of support, we will also include the same in the summer "Beginnings" issue of CRAVE.
 
Our goal is to document the impact of the oil spill and inspire others to donate their time and money to the restoration efforts. We also recognize that "voluntourists" will provide both an immediate economic boost to the tourism industry in the region, while leaving a lasting legacy of helping to heal the environment to improve conditions there in the future.
 
Please let me know your thoughts on my proposal and if I can answer any questions. I can be reached via e-mail at [e-mail].
 
Best,
Aaron