Lily the Bear fans, that Facebook group of over 113,000 that formed after witnessing via “den cam” the birth of Lily’s cub Hope, have become a powerful group supporting not only black bears but Ely area causes.

They spearheaded voting for the “Best Small Town in America” contest and the Coca-Cola contest, which named Bear Head Lake State Park as “American’s Favorite Park.”

The group recently learned of another funding opportunity with online voting for schools. The contest is sponsored by Care2 and is called America’s School Spirit Challenge 2010. It began at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 20.

With the support of the Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center Lily’s Facebook fans are encouraging people to vote for the Ely School District in the contest. The grand prizewinner will receive $20,000 that can be used in any way the school district sees fit.

The second place school will receive $7,000 and third place gets $5,000.

Each participant gets one vote in the contest, which will continue until Nov. 12 at 11:59 p.m. All that’s needed to vote is a valid e-mail address.

The campaign seems to be working. As of Timberjay presstime, Ely is in the lead.

Vote for Ely schools

For complete contest rules visit: www.care2.com/schoolcontest.

The link to vote for Ely schools is: www.care2.com/schoolcontest/2704/054.