Category Archives: Heifer Around the Web

Heifers on the Red Carpet

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The awards season is here, and we at Heifer International are beyond delighted to accept this nomination!

This week we learned that we’re finalists for a min Best of the Web Award for work on our brand new tablet edition of World Ark magazine. min, short for Media Industry News, is a resource for magazine and media professionals to learn about the latest trends in the field. Heifer is a finalist in the digital magazine category, competing against the likes of dash magazine, EBONY.com, EE Times, Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, Popular Science and WIRED.

World Ark, the quarterly print magazine for Heifer donors and anyone interested in hunger and poverty, has had an online presence for years. But in December of 2012 we launched an interactive tablet edition for iPads and Androids that incorporates news from the field, facts about development work around the world and ways readers can get involved, along with dynamic, gorgeous design by the talented screen wizards at Bates Creative. This tablet version is free and available on the App Store or on Google Play. The Spring 2013 edition should be available within the week.

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Here’s a sneak peek of the cover of the Spring tablet edition.

Sure, we’re new to this scene and just beginning to get a handle on the amazing new ways we can reach, inform and inspire readers via a tablet format. But we’re hopeful this nomination will help us spread the word about the brilliant and hardworking Heifer project partners that we feature in each issue.

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Around the Web: Student Fundraisers, Homemade Jewelry

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Every Sunday we highlight some of the people who are funding our work creatively or helping us spread the word of our mission online. If you spot Heifer International while you’re surfing the web or know of a fun or creative fundraising effort, please share it with us here in the comments.

“Los Alamos Middle School teacher Dana Kline and her hawks soar to new heights raising funds to benefit others through reading” in Heifer’s Read to Feed progam, where they earned $453.65 to purchase one llama, one pig, one flock each of ducks, geese and chickens, two hives of bees and three rabbits.

Photo credit: The Sun

One club at Osceola Intermediate School is knitting a path to social responsibility. During the club’s inaugural year, the club made a fleece blanket and auctioned it off to raise money for Heifer International and local food shelves. Since then, the Social Responsibility Club has become so popular they had to limit enrollment to just fifth graders.

Thanks to the efforts of Falling Spring Elementary School fifth-graders this month, and an idea from student Brynn Kegerreis, $360 was raised to purchase a sheep, goat and pig through Heifer International. When Kegerreis’ goal of $250 was passed, teacher Doug Shatzer  dressed up like a cow and handed out ice cream to students. ”What amazed me the most is that Brynn came up with it all on her own,” said Shatzer. “She organized it, kept track of the money and put together the progress.”

If you like homemade jewelry, check out this story about The Gold Trout, which carries jewelry made by the owner’s 16-year-old niece; 100 percent of the proceeds go to Heifer International.

Photo credit: Plymouth-Canton Patch

South Canton Scholars Charter Academy students raised $297 for Heifer International through Holiday Dress Day. The student council decided to buy a flock of chicks, a sheep, a goat and a boost of nutrition package to help people around the globe.

Arellanes Junior High School students have participated in holiday charity projects to help end world hunger, gather food for a local food drive and create beanies for babies and adults with disabilities. This year they raised more than $400 in about three weeks for Heifer International, organized a food drive for a local foodbank, and created more than 400 hand-made beanies for a maternity ward.

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Around the Web: Christmas Budgets, Awesome Fundraisers, Spirit of Giving

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Every Sunday we highlight some of the people who are funding our work creatively or helping us spread the word of our mission online. If you spot Heifer International while you’re surfing the web or know of a fun or creative fundraising effort, please share it with us here in the comments.

Jack Topchik shares some one-liners in this article, Savor Life, including one he got from an ad campaign, that can seem especially timely this time of year, including ”If your cup runneth over, spill some.”

Family finances may be forcing smaller Christmas budgets, but moms are hoping the changes they are planning this year will be a chance for something more meaningful for their families.

Daniel Dreifuss/Staff Bethany Hester holds her two-year-old son Asher as they hang homemade ornaments on their Christmas tree in their Orcutt home. Photo credit: Santa Maria Times/Daniel Dreifuss

Photo credit: Denver Post

Author and long-time Heifer supporter Patrick Rothfuss and his non-profit Worldbuilders has raised more than $1 million for Heifer International! This year’s Worldbuilders fundraiser runs through January 18, and all proceeds go to Heifer.

Andean trekking specialist Llama Expeditions is donating a llama through Heifer International and inviting kindhearted adventure travelers to join them this holiday season.

This lead definitely caught my eye: “Culinary arts students at Rocky Hill High School are doing their part to end world hunger.” These kids created and baked gingerbread houses to auction them off to benefit Heifer.

Here’s an interesting fundraiser: People bid on the opportunity to play Dungeons & Dragons with eight accomplished authors next January, including Patrick Rothfuss, who is mentioned above. All the proceeds go to Worldbuilders, the fundraising organization that gives its money to Heifer International.

Read about this mom’s quest to share the spirit of giving with her kids, despite a little bit of resistance. Luckily, her boys are fond of Heifer and the concrete idea of using their money to buy a flock of chicks to provide for a family.

Bates Creative Group, who partnered with Heifer to create our World Ark tablet magazine app, wrote a blog post all about it: Stop the Insanity With Innovation.

Who couldn’t help but read this story: HELPING HOOVES A Flying Moose Gifts Water Buffalo to Third World Family?

Gift Guides/Gift Ideas/Charities Lists
Thank you to all who mentioned Heifer in gift guides and in their charity lists. Here are some we came across this past week:

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Around the Web: Kids With a Cause, Tikkun Olam and Holiday Lists

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Every Sunday we highlight some of the people who are funding our work creatively or helping us spread the word of our mission online. If you spot Heifer International while you’re surfing the web or know of a fun or creative fundraising effort, please share it with us here in the comments.

You’ll be impressed by 12-year-old Ryan Bell, who’s made a goal of raising $25,000 for Heifer’s Gift of Transformation. Ryan was born with Treacher Collins syndrome, a cranio-facial disorder. He sees the Gift of Transformation as a reflection of his own year of transformation, which has been full of extensive surgeries. NOTE: We are excited to share that Ryan has reached his lofty goal, but let’s see if we can help get him even further!

Ryan Bell and his sister, Meghan. Photo credit: New Haven Register

Thanks to the Congregation Shomrei Torah, who is promoting donations to Heifer this Hanukkah: “We’re really looking to help people around the world. In Hebrew we call it Tikkun Olam, which means ‘repairing the world.’”

Lucinda and Clara Becker manned a booth sponsored by Laguna Presbyterian Church to benefit Heifer International. They brought their own pet chickens to bring attention to their booth, and according to reports, it worked.

Clara and Lucinda Becker and their pet chickens. Photo Credit: Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot

Gift Guides/Gift Ideas/Charities Lists
Thank you to all who mentioned Heifer in gift guides and in their charity lists this past week. Here are some we came across:

 

 

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Around the Web: Gifts, an Inspired Book, and Some Cool Cows

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Every Sunday we highlight some of the people who are funding our work creatively or helping us spread the word of our mission online. If you spot Heifer International while you’re surfing the web or know of a fun or creative fundraising effort, please share it with us here in the comments.

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Nicholas Kristof says you can look to Heifer International for an unusual holiday gift in his recent post on the New York Times, Gifts That Change Lives.

For more unique gift ideas for the person who has everything, check out this blog post on Nanny Babysitter, 10 Alternative Gifts for the Person Who Has Everything.

Photo credit: Hartford Courant

Teresa Pelham bought a sheep (through Heifer International, of course) instead of “Large Plastic Items We Do Not Need,” and writes about it in the very entertaining Mommy Minute.

DJ Maht Wuyts will be playing music for 26.2 hours straight December 8 & 9 in this unique Mahrathon fundraiser for Heifer International. Rock on, Maht!

Moment magazine highlights our new Heifer at Hanukkah campaign with a post that starts simply: If you are still looking for an interesting Hanukkah gift this year, consider a goat.

Catholic San Francisco lists Heifer among the options in their story, A goat for Christmas? Options for non-consumerist gifts.

Photo credit: Iowa City Press-Citizen

Artist Marcia Wegman recently finished a book that includes paintings and stories inspired by a trip to Latvia to see Heifer International projects. “I hope (the book) raises an awareness about what Heifer does and what a difference they make in the lives of people in these countries,” she said. “And also shows people what a wonderful, beautiful part of the world it is.”

The Face of Malawi tells the story of Yohane Machira, a farmer who has a life full of optimism since he started raising goats he received from Heifer, despite his being HIV positive.

Photo credit: Abby Fortney, courtesy of vitamintalent.com

Vitamin T bought a few cows to help families send their kids to school, buy medicine and clothes, and improve their land. Read their entertaining post here.

Here’s some advice from Janet Bodnar on teaching kids to budget this season: Money Power: Kids can get financial education from holidays.

Heifer was also listed first in Forbes’ The A-List: What’s Hot for December 2012!

 

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Around the Web: Community Gardener, Unique Give-Away, and More

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Every Sunday we highlight some of the people who are funding our work creatively or helping us spread the word of our mission online. If you spot Heifer International while you’re surfing the web or know of a fun or creative fundraising effort, please share it with us here in the comments.

Peter Russell

Peter Russell Photo credit: www.iup.edu

Thanks to Ashley for her blog post the Gift of a Goat, in which she talks about Heifer International, “I’m all about this program because when you donate you aren’t artificially inflating their economy. This is a way to help folks in need and teach them a skill. To me, it seems like a win/win.”

You’ll want to read this story about student Peter Russell, who volunteers at a garden that donates food to the community. His gardening bug was inspired by a visit to Heifer’s Overlook Farm in Rutland, Massachussetts at the age of 13.

Musings of the Mundane lists Heifer International on Day 6 of the Twelve Days of Christmas, Part Two, which is a great idea to make someone you love feel extra special.

Montgojo LLC created two new apps that facilitate passing on items you know longer need by swapping them for something you want. And, all profits they earn in November and December are going to Heifer International.

I found this blog post interesting and inspiring. Why We Don’t Do Gifts (And What We Do Instead). Not everyone was happy, but they have received unexpected blessings.

llama and project participant

Heifer project participant in Bolivia with her Heifer llama. Photo by Russell Powell, courtesy of Heifer International.

Smile, You’re Rich gives a different perspective on richness, gratitude and practicing gratitude. “If you make $20/hr you could use one hour’s pay to buy chickens through Heifer International that will lay eggs to feed a family all year.”

Ten congregants at the Washington Ethical Society were given $100 in their programs with one catch… they had to give it away. An interesting idea to help people think abut the giving in Thanksgiving.

This blogger got a llama from her mama (through Heifer International). The best part? “I don’t have to clean up after him.”

Euclid Middle School in Littleton, Colorado had a bake sale during lunches on November 30, to raise money for Heifer International. Thanks to everyone who baked and bought the goods!

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Around the Web: Markets, Certificates, How to Give to a Giver

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Every Sunday we highlight some of the people who are funding our work creatively or helping us spread the word of our mission online. If you spot Heifer International while you’re surfing the web or know of a fun or creative fundraising effort, please share it with us here in the comments.

Photo credit: kait8.com

Cornerstone United Methodist Church held its annual Glorious Giving Market November 10, 2012, benefiting six organizations including Heifer International. “It’s a glorious thing that God would be proud of because it helps really needy people,” said Patricia Harlan, Leader of Mission Team.

The Juniper Moon Farm has a recent blog post listing great children’s books that feature knitting, yarn or sheep, great holiday gifts. If you find a book you want to buy, and click on the link through the blog, the blog will donate it’s percentage to Heifer International.

Photo credit: missminimalist.com

I thought this was a unique way to let others know you’d be happy with an alternative gift this holiday (such as the kind Heifer International offers). Check out the One Less Gift certificate.

She Knows Shopping tells us How to Give to a Giver: “Skip the commercial items this year, and give your advocate friend a gift that supports a cause you know will be meaningful.” Buying a chicken or cow through Heifer International is among the great ideas listed.

Students at Los Alamos Middle School in New Mexico are participating in Heifer International’s Read to Feed‚ a reading incentive program that allows children to help find solutions to global problems like hunger and poverty. Students will record books they read through Dec. 14, and will ask for pledges for each book read.

Tina Forsyth is having a virtual launch for her new book to help entrepreneurs improve their business process and enjoy some time off. Heifer International will benefit from 25 percent of the sales from the launch.

Saint John’s Presbyterian Church in Houston is having a Living Gift Market on December 2, and will feature many booths selling items that will benefit the community and the world, including Heifer International.

In Kendal Park, New Jersey, an alternative gift market is being held November 18, offering African, Asian and Latin American handicrafts, as well as alternative gift offerings from Heifer International.

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Around the Web: Sunday School Project, Birthday Gifts, and Holiday Shopping

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Every Sunday we highlight some of the people who are funding our work creatively or helping us spread the word of our mission online. If you spot Heifer International while you’re surfing the web or know of a fun or creative fundraising effort, please share it with us here in the comments.

Photo credit: Moulton Advertiser

This Sunday school class project a few years ago is making a difference around the world and teaching students how people around that world live at the same time. This year’s effort went to Heifer’s Seeds of Change project, which helps families in Appalachia and the the Arkansas Delta right here in the U.S.A.

Here’s a special birthday shout out to Ilyanna Kreske, who wrote an awesome blog post about her birthday. There are all sorts of ways to give, and Ilyanna is using her birthday as a chance to contribute to our mission and ideals with her blog post and her gift registry on heifer.org. Thank you Ilyanna, and happy birthday!

This article said it so well, I just had to quote it. “Can’t decide between a necktie, a sweater or another bottle of perfume? Break out of the holiday shopping rut and consider a gift that will make a real difference.” Where? At First Congregational Church of Westfield’s 11th annual Alternative Gift Market in Westfield, New Jersey.

Thanks to the Cannery Seafood of the Pacific in Newport Beach, CA. They are donating 25 percent of their November sales to Heifer. A Small Gesture With a Great Purpose.

If you’re in Brookings, South Dakota, you might want to think about attending Empty Bowls, a soup supper held November 15 to benefit Heifer International, accompanied by keynote speaker Charles Woodard, an English professor and founder of Oak Lake Writers Group.

Planet Weidknecht features the Heifer International Gift Catalog in a recent post, Give the Gift of Honeybees. And, Smart Mom Picks says Heifer International Offers a Way to Add Meaning to the Holiday Season. Thanks to all these blogs for featuring us!

 

 

 

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Around the Web: Holiday Shopping Opportunities And Tips

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Every Sunday we highlight some of the people who are funding our work creatively or helping us spread the word of our mission online. If you spot Heifer International while you’re surfing the web or know of a fun or creative fundraising effort, please share it with us here in the comments.

The Happy Simple Living blog has a series of posts offering tips on how to get all your Christmas duties finished by December 1. Your Best Holidays Ever – Week 5 and Seeking a More Meaningful Christmas, has plenty of ideas about how to celebrate in a more meaningful way. Listed first is giving to organizations like Heifer International, followed by a list of other very good ideas you should to check out.

Photo credit: tulsaworld.com

“Living Wright” from Tulsa World also gives tips on ways to reduce your stress now through the holidays, and also mentions Heifer International gifts as a way to do something as a family or individual that gives to others.

Thank you and best wishes to newlyweds Jennifer and Taylor, who donated to Heifer International on behalf of their wedding guests.

Patrick Rothfuss, longtime Heifer supporter and author, is gearing up for his yearly Worldbuilders fundraiser. If you want to get involved and help, check out his blog post An Open Invitation.

In the Rochester, New York, area on November 18? Stop by Greece Baptist Church for its fifth annual Alternative Gift Market with several charities represented, including Heifer.

And, a little further south in Georgia, check out the Johns Creek Christmas Gift and Mission Fair from November 30 to December 2 at Johns Creek United Methodist Church.

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Around the Web: Former Uganda Orphan Returning to Help Others

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Ronnie Sseruyange

Photo credit: timesunion.com

Every Sunday we highlight some of the people who are funding our work creatively or helping us spread the word of our mission online. If you spot Heifer International while you’re surfing the web or know of a fun or creative fundraising effort, please share it with us here in the comments.

Check out this inspiring story that features some amazing people including Ronnie Sseruyange, a 26-year-old who used to be an orphaned street kid in Uganda. He is now completing a residency at our Learning Center at Overlook Farm, to learn ways to help the orphans back in Uganda become self-sufficient and break out of poverty.

Thanks to Slapinions for the blog post Can we Make a Difference? I’d like to think we can, which featured Heifer International and a new family goal to give a gift from Heifer this Christmas. A very worthwhile endeavor.

Family Project: Heifer International

Photo credit: Life with my BOYS

The Crum family has a great plan this year: Family Project: Heifer International. The entire family is working on crafts to sell with a goal of $150 buy a goat for a family in need.

Going to be in Houston December 2? Check out the Living Gift Market at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, where “the gift you buy for a friend or family member provides help to families in need.” Heifer International is one of several charities represented.

Garage Sale to raise funds

Photo credit: Muscatine Journal

A special education class at West Middle School in Muscatine, Iowa, is holding a garage sale on November 3, with the proceeds going toward an animal from Heifer International. Students have been busy sorting, washing, identifying and pricing the items, and have gone with their teachers into the community requesting permission from business owners and organization and agency directors to post fliers advertising the sale. They have even gotten local radio and TV stations to help promote the event. After the sale, they will  discuss how much money was raised and how it will be used.

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Around the Web: 5k, Carnivals, and a Penny Jar

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Every Sunday we highlight some of the people who are funding our work creatively or helping us spread the word of our mission online. If you spot Heifer International while you’re surfing the web or know of a fun or creative fundraising effort, please share it with us here in the comments.

A BBC Nepal radio broadcast discusses forage production by Heifer International Nepal project members. A project visit to another site already planting their own fodder inspired women in the Dhungri and Belbas village to grow their own, eliminating a long and often dangerous daily journey to find fodder for their animals. You can hear the show (in Nepalese), or read the transcript in English on our website.

Reeve 5k Memory Run

Photo credit: The Burlingames

Megan Burlingames blogs about and shares pics of the 2nd annual Reeve 5k Memory Run, which is about remembering loved ones, and proceeds this year went to Heifer International. Megan took third place overall, and won first place for the women’s division. Congrats Megan.

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Columbia, South Carolina, is holding an Alternative Gift Fair/Incredible Edibles Sale on October 27. You can pick up holiday gift certificates to a variety of local and international charities, including Heifer International, and grab some baked goods, frozen entrees, homemade condiments, jams, jellies and other goodies while you’re there.

On the opposite coast, First Presbyterian Church in Livermore, California, is holding the 38th annual Carnival to Benefit Heifer International October 27. Attractions include games, a cake walk, an animal exhibition, home-cooked meals, baked goods, a scary room, craft sales, music, and a costume parade.

Students in Brad Kotz’s homeroom at Orchard Place High School earn pennies when they demonstrate academic or behavioral excellence. When there is $20 in the penny jar, they purchase a flock of chickens through Heifer International. Good kids doing great things!

Charity Meets Style at Philanthropy, a leader in cause-driven retailing. Blogger Charissa Livingston writes about this business, which has benefited many nonprofits including Heifer International.

Small Town Living featured Heifer as a way to change lives and give a gift that’s totally different this year. “A win-win situation for them to be able to rise above poverty and to have improved lives and communities.”

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