If we look familiar, it's probably because we are! A major aspect of Wake is that we reach out to the local community through positive action, hugging, games and fun fun fun.

Earlier this year, we also joined forces with Shark Truth and hit the streets of Chinatown, Vancouver to celebrate Chinese New Year, which we dubbed 'Year of the Tiger Shark!' Together, we received an estimated 2000 direct impressions.

Press Release: 'Hug A Shark!'

Wake and Shark Truth got together to create a positive message for the Chinese New Year parade in a packed Chinatown on Sunday 14th of February, 2010. 15 volunteers representing both organisations, offered free hugs in our hand-made foam sharks and fin-hats. Together, we received an estimated 2000 direct impressions. And because of the wonders of social media, that number will most likely triple as images of our message are passed around and viewed by others.

In total, we distributed over 800 traditional red envelopes that contained ‘lucky money’ (a chocolate coin) and a dual-language flyer that adapted the ‘Year of the Tiger’ to the tongue-in-cheek ‘Year of the Tiger Shark’. The flyers explained why sharks are endangered and included three facts about sharks and shark fin soup. One hundred and fifty fortune cookies (with positive messages about sharks inside them) were also given out, but the biggest crowd-pleaser was the hugging. Hundreds of people of all ages flocked to embrace our costume clad crew and get their pictures taken with our cuddly sharks and wonderfully bubbly and cheerful volunteers. All in all a massive success!

Because of our actions, the future is looking a lot brighter for our fin-happy friends!

To find out more about our calender of upcoming events, please check our Facebook page (search for 'Wake Project'), or for media inquiries please contact: lindsay@wakeproject.net