VALENCIA, Calif.—The Center for Great Apes is Girlfriends Films’ September charity, as selected by popular VOD (video-on-demand) website HotMovies.com. The Center is a permanent sanctuary for orangutans and chimpanzees rescued or retired from the entertainment industry or research purposes, as well as ones no longer wanted as pets. In addition to receiving $1,000 from Girlfriends Films in the name of HotMovies.com, the organization will receive an additional $5,000 from the socially and environmentally conscious adult site.
For more information about Center for Great Apes, click here. To join HotMovies.com and Girlfriends Films in donating to the sanctuary, click here. HotMovies.com urges financial donors to make sure most of the money goes to help the animals and not to excessive expenses.
Per its mission statement, lifetime care is provided to great apes with dignity in a safe, healthy, and enriching environment at the Center, located in Wauchula, Florida. Many people are unaware of the rampant abuse older chimpanzees and orangutans face. They see young, friendly, cuddly animals in movies, the circus, and other places; however, when these animals mature to 7 years old, they often become too big and strong for these uses. Many are then confined to small cages for many years because owners no longer have use for them.
“The stories of what happens to many of these apes are heartbreaking,” said a HotMovies.com representative. “I visited this sanctuary about nine years ago and could not believe the wonderful work they do. They have grown immensely over the years because of the help from many kind people. The Center has updated and expanded its facility and now houses many more residents than when I visited.”
“We at HotMovies.com applaud the Girlfriends Films Charity Program and would like to see it expanded,” continued the HotMovies.com rep. “We appeal to everyone in the industry who has owned or loves pets to consider giving back and helping a good cause. Give up a few dinners out, a new suit, or any other expense and help these animals in need. Life is short, and there is more to it than material things.”
HotMovies.com also recommends Elephants.com and AnimalCenter.org as fantastic charities making a difference in the world.
“After six years of having others designate the recipients of our monthly charity program, this is the first time anybody has joined us in donating to their selected cause… and then goes even further and ups the ante like HotMovies.com is doing for the apes,” stated Girlfriends Films owner Dan O’Connell. “HotMovies.com matched our donation several years ago when it selected the Elephant Sanctuary, and this time it is again showing what a class act the company is.”
“HotMovies.com keeps a low profile and does not publicize itself, however this is a sterling example of charity and should be brought to the attention of the industry," he continued. "There are a lot of people and companies who can afford to help the less fortunate, but choose not to do so. In addition to benefitting the apes, the most recent example from HotMovies.com will also plant many seeds for thought and encouragement in regards to helping others.”
Girlfriends Films has a long history of charitable contributions, having donated over $20,000 in 2012. Each month a performer, director, or industry principal is selected as part of the studio’s charity program, and a donation of $1,000 is given to a philanthropic organization of their choice. For more information, click here.
Any Girlfriends Films performers interested in participating may apply by emailing the following information here: name, AIP charity of choice, reason(s) for selecting the charity. Chosen performers will be asked to submit a personal photo depicting the performer engaged with the charity, the charity’s mission, or a similar charitable act. The photo will be used for promotional purposes.
Girlfriends Films’ movies are the most downloaded on HotMovies.com, including its hit, Poor Little Shyla 2, which is the site’s most downloaded movie of all time.
