My background has not always been in the nonprofit space. So, when I first got into the industry, the statistics were pretty easy to look at, go numb, or gloss over and not understand.
However, as soon as I started The Hedrick Project, my eyes opened to what these statistics mean.
There are real lives behind every number that you read.
780 million people across the world do not have access to clean water.
The population of wild giraffes in Africa is now estimated at approximately 117,000, a drop of approximately 30% in the last three and a half decades.
In the world, 150 million, In the United States, over 580,000, and In Charlotte, NC, over 3,000 people are experiencing homelessness.
An estimated 1,800 giant pandas remain in the wild.
30% of 557 raptor species worldwide are threatened to some degree.
All seven species of sea turtles are now threatened or endangered.
Nearly 1 in 4 shark species are threatened with extinction.
My name is Will Hedrick. I am the Founder & Executive Director of The Hedrick Project. We better animal, human, and environmental life globally by raising awareness and funds, then distributing 100% of public donations to our partners in the field. Learn more and donate here.
Hope
The first word that comes to mind when I read a list like that is hope. I am extremely optimistic and hopeful for the future. If I weren't, I'd be working in the wrong industry.
I genuinely believe that we can significantly impact the majority of these problems within my lifetime. There has never been a better time to do it.
We have the knowledge and the power to do it. The Hedrick Project works with partners in the field. We believe in the power of working together. There are so many extraordinary organizations in the world that if they had more support, we could make strides at every single one of these problems.
Unfortunately, these organizations need more support and exposure to gain momentum.
That is why we developed our unique business model, and I couldn't be more proud and excited. Together we can do this.