[Eden]

Hey Guys,

Phyl encouraged me to come pay you guys a long overdue visit so here I am, finally! Before I tell you about a really cool thing I'm doing (that Phyl ALSO encouraged me to let you guys in on) I just wanted to thank you guys so much for all the voting you did to win me that Webby People's Voice Award. I am beyond ecstatic about it. A real award for Imaginary Bitches! It's just amazing to me that something we literally created in our backyard could go up against big-time studio-produced web series and actually win! You guys are the greatest. Also, I don't know if any of you twitter, but I am tweating now and having a really good time with it. You can find me at http://twitter.com/edenriegel. Come check it out! It's actually a lot of fun.

Okay, now for my latest bit of business: Inspired by my sister's amazing AIDS ride from San Fran to LA, I've set a goal for myself, in the hopes of raising some money for a very good cause. To that end I am training for the AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) Disneyland Half-marathon in September. The APLA is a fantastic organization, providing much needed support and services for people who are directly affected by HIV. In these tough economic times, a lot of great causes have taken a hit. I know times are hard for everyone, but if you happen to be looking for a worthy recipient to donate to this year, I wanted to bring this to your attention and give you an opportunity to support the good people over at the APLA.

The race is a half-marathon, 13.1 miles. It begins on the morning of Sunday September 6th in Disneyland California Adventure Park, goes through Anaheim, and finishes up in the Magic Kingdom! The costume characters even come along for the race to cheer us on! Isn't that awesome? Me and Minnie will reunite!

I've never taken part in an event like this and I am totally stoked (and more than a little nervous, too!) I wanted to let you guys in on this but I also wanted to make it VERY CLEAR that there is absolutely no obligation to donate! I know times are tough for everyone right now (I mean, I am unemployed, after all!) And if you can give, great! But even then there is no need to go overboard. Every teeny little dollar counts, and will be put to work immediately by the organization (so there's some incentive not to wait till the last minute). If you can't afford to give anything right now, please do not worry at all. I WILL LOVE YOU ANYWAY! I DO love you, anyway! There are other ways to help, too: for instance, pass this email onto your rich friends an appeal to their liberal guilt! Or just think of me on race day. I know having you guys behind me will give me that extra push towards the finish line! I just though you guys deserved to know since you've always been there for me, and I didn't want to keep it a secret or anything. I need my peeps thinking good thoughts on September 6th if I'm gonna make it through this!

Here's my donation page: http://apla.convio.n...i...&fr_id=1040

So donate if you can and celebrate your good deed by NOT running 13.1 miles! (Doesn't that nice and relaxing? I'm doing all the work for you!)

Thank you so much for your support (monetary and otherwise!)
Love,
Eden

[carpesomediem]

Hey, Eden! Thanks for letting us know about your half-marathon! We'll do whatever we can to spread the word and support you!

[sillyme]

As you may recall, we had a number of items left over from the Lunch with Eden Auction, held last October, in New York. The intention has been to hold an online auction on eBay, with these items and a few others that Eden has so graciously autographed (thanks to Donna's talent).

Well, we will be holding this auction start Monday, 05/11 and Eden has asked that the money raised from the auction be put toward her fund raising effort for APLA. So, all money generated from the auction will go to that effort and all fees will be covered by an anonymous donor, so if you bid and win, 100% of your bid will be donated to help Eden exceed her fund raising goal.

Our thanks and love to Eden for working with us and allowing us to be part of her effort to raise money.

Watch this space for further details.

And remember Eden, we Rebels will always love you and be in your corner and have your back, no matter what.

[Lexi]

Eden u ROCK so hard!

[rsmith2k2]

Heeeeeeeeeeeeey! I am so glad you posted here.

Thanks for letting us in on the fundraising effort. Sounds like a great cause. I'll try and dig up a donation for all that running you'll be doing while I relax in my air-conditioned villa in NW NC, sipping iced tea and feeling good about giving!. :laughing

Good luck in training. Give your sister some thanks on our behalf.

Thanks phyll for organizing the fundraiser.

[ap215]

That's wonderful Eden best of luck.

[mackiaveli]

Hi Eden, its very nice to see you around the board. It's beyond amazing that you and Imaginary Bitches have garnered a Webby award. I hope this is only the beginning of good things for Imaginary Bitches and for you as well.

Brilliant news about your mini marathon for AIDS charity. It's a wonderful cause. Thanks for posting the link to your fundraising page. I will also try and donate some money. I sure hope lots of money will be raised with majority of your fans donating for this worthwhile cause. Good luck Eden with your training, with the fundraising, and with actually running the mini marathon. Your fans are behind you all the way. I will indeed be thinking of you on race day.

[aconi]

Best of luck in the run Eden! And congrats on the Webby Award!!

[sillyme]

Bump... and go donate something!