We all want to be fit and healthy and we care about the world, environment and welfare of animals. Dr Nylaan's dental practice on Plainfield ave in Grand Rapids, MI has taken those empowering concepts and created “Zumba for a Cause”.

Zumba is an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party that's moving millions of people toward joy and health.

Throughout their Zumba for a Cause event our office has raised more than $32,000 for local causes!

I am honored that my volunteer group West Michigan Animals Asia Volunteer Group will be the featured this year. Zumba class starts at 7pm and ends at 8pm. Our volunteers will be there early around 6:45pm and will stay after to speak with attendees, answer questions. 100% of our collected donations and merchandise proceeds go directly to Animals Asia to continue to help rescue and care for badly abused moon bears.

The Plight of the Moon Bear

More than 10,000 bears – mainly moon bears, but also sun bears and brown bears – are kept on bile farms in China, and around 2,400 in Vietnam. The bears are milked regularly for their bile, which is used in traditional medicine.

Bile is extracted using various painful, invasive techniques, all of which cause massive infection in the bears. This cruel practice continues despite the availability of a large number of effective and affordable herbal and synthetic alternatives.

Most farmed bears are kept in tiny coffin sized cages. In China, the cages are sometimes so small that the bears are unable to turn around or stand on all fours. Some bears are put into cages as cubs and never released. Bears may be kept caged like this for up to 30 years. Most farmed bears are starved, dehydrated and suffer from multiple diseases and malignant tumors that ultimately kill them.

Animals Asia is the only non-profit working tirelessly with the government, doctors, bear farmers and community on helping to end this barbaric practice. They facilitate grueling day, week and month long bear rescues and have dedicated their time to allowing these bears to finally know love, freedom, nutrition and play. (Source)

Before and After Rescue

Meet Jasper!

This is Jasper now, thanks to your donations and helping to spread the word about bear farms.

This was life day in and day out for Jasper for 15 years before Animals Asia rescued him.

Here is the story and my interview on the Moon Bears by Mary Ullmer of the Grand Rapids Press back in May 2011.

Life After Bear Farms: The Sanctuaries!

Animals Asia’s work to end bear bile farming focuses on five key areas:

Government and Policy

The Good News!

Animals Asia staff, our volunteers and every day busy folks are making a difference in helping to end this cruel practice and educating others that you can heal the body without harming animals. I truly believe that the more you know, the better you do. Bears are being rescued, bear farmers are waking up and realizing that this is not helpful for people or the animals and people are being more open to appreciating animals versus exploiting them.

Zumba for the Moon Bears: How you Can Help

Dr. Nylaan's office offers complimentary Zumba class Tuesday evenings May through
August at 7:00 pm. Here is their full schedule.

Come join us for fun, fitness, healing the body and making a difference in the Moon Bears life. We will be collecting donations and will have moon bear merchandise available!

When:

Tuesday July 31, 2018 at 7pm

Where:

Classes are held in the office parking lot
Brian S. Nylaan, D.D.S.
5011 Plainfield Ave NE
Grand Rapids MI 49525-1050

Their office offers a fantastic Zumba class on Tuesday evenings May 29th through August 21st, 2018.

Class begins at 7:00 pm and is led by Zumba instructor Kate Mora-Woods. This class is open to the general public. Each class supports the week's featured Cause.

Beginning this year Zumba for a Cause will be $5 per person. Exercise or Zumba classes are generally $10, or more, per person. Our office is offering all the Zumba fun at half the cost.

This year we will have Punch Cards available. You may purchase a 6 class punch card for $30.

Each week attendees will receive a special treat for attending our event.

This year we would like to do even more for our weekly Causes, so in addition to our post event raffle drawing we will be hosting a special raffle at each event. Special Raffle tickets may be purchase for $1, or 6 for $5. Or you may bring an item from the Causes Wish List to earn additional special raffle tickets.

We accept cash, check (made payable to Brian Nylaan – Community Events), or credit card ALL funds will go to our featured cause for the evening. These charities do some great work and they need our financial support.

What to bring:

Bottled Water, Zumba Attire – including shoes, a smile and the desire to have fun while getting a great workout.

Jingle Skirts:

Zumba skirts are still available for a $10 donation. The skirt will be yours to keep and use during the entire Zumba season.

Raffle Tickets:

Each attendee will receive 1 raffle ticket at each class. Our dental office will host a raffle drawing at the end of each Zumba session. Special Raffle tickets may be purchase for $1, or 6 for $5.

Let's Zumba for the Moon Bears! Who else is in?