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Outstanding Activist!
Endearing,
fun-loving and sincere, Bud Makelke is one of the best farm animal advocates
in the Bay Area — thanks, in part, to an old girlfriend. One weekend,
the two decided to visit a sanctuary for rescued farm animals. After some
research, they discovered Farm Sanctuary and ventured to our California
Shelter. After several unforgettable meet-and-greet sessions with cooing
turkeys and lovable bovines, Bud returned home, dumped the dairy in his
fridge and all the meat in his freezer, and went vegan.
Since that initial farm visit, Bud has become a regular presence at the shelter. As a field trip leader, he has organized carpools and even shuttle trips to our Orland facility to show friends and other acquaintances that animals are sentient beings deserving of respect and ethical consideration. He has also come to the rescue as a volunteer barn cleaner and, since 2003, has donated his photography skills at our larger annual events, including the Celebration FOR the Turkeys and Country Hoe Down.
For
the past three years, Bud has coordinated the San Francisco Walk for
Farm Animals, Farm Sanctuary’s national fundraiser benefiting
our rescue, education and advocacy programs. In 2005, the Bay Area Walk
was the third most profitable in the nation, and in 2006, it exceeded
all expectations by doubling the number of funds raised the previous year!
One would think Bud would be exhausted after spending months preparing
for the Walk, but he brings his activism into the workplace, too.
At
first, fear of being viewed as radical or irrational in the corporate
world kept Bud from discussing his dietary choices and involvement in
animal protection with coworkers. However, slowly but surely he realized
that his colleagues held more admiration than aversion to his compassionate
and healthy decisions, and he now openly converses about his animal-friendly
lifestyle at the drop of a hat, enlightening others about the many benefits
of going and staying vegan.
Off the clock, Bud is usually found playing in one of two volleyball leagues, and sporting jerseys that feature a veg sports logo he created. This logo prompts many fellow athletes to question Bud about his diet and gives him a wonderful platform to highlight the physical benefits of eating vegan.
Capturing 30 turkeys gobbling up pumpkin pie on film is no easy feat. Neither is rousing dozens of activists to parade around downtown San Francisco with "Go Veg" flags, yet Bud does it year after year. Thank you, Bud, for all your work to improve human health and the welfare of this planet and farm animals everywhere. You are an inspiration for us all!
Together, we ARE making a difference. If you would like to find out more about volunteering your time to educate others about factory farming and vegetarianism, please contact us at activist@farmsanctuary.org, or 607-583-2225 ext. 229. Click here to find out what YOU can do to help!