Around the Web: Reading to Feed, HeiFair, Mitzvah Project and Hostas

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Linda Meyers

Every week 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.

Santa Clarita Public Library Launches Summer Reading Program. Photo credit: KHTS AM 1220

Participants in this summer’s reading program at Santa Clarita Public Library will vote for ducks, llamas or water buffalos as part of Heifer’s Read to Feed program. The library plans to send send the donations in proportion to the voting. In 2012, the library raised $3,000 and purchased goats, chicks and bees to help people in need around the world.

Hallel Adina Michal Shapiro-Franklin is raising funds for Heifer International for her mitzvah project. Photo credit: Cleveland Jewish News

Fifth graders from Hawthorne Brook Middle School held a “HeiFair” with crafts, baked goods and face-painting, to benefit Heifer. Teacher Judy Brown, said “The students wanted to do something to help people, and were very excited to be able to take part in raising funds for Heifer International.”

A big thanks to Hallel Adina Michal Shapiro-Franklin, who attends The Agnon School in Clevelend. She sponsored a volunteer night the Cleveland Foodbank and is raising money for Heifer International for her mitzvah project.

Heifer International’s Read to Feed program made Erin Cobb’s ten on Tuesday blog post. Thanks for the mention, and good luck to Sarah with her goal of 60 books!

Morgan Township students (in northwest Indiana) blew their original goal out of the water and raised a whopping $13,127 by reading books this past school year. You can watch the news report here.

Hiefer’s own Elizabeth Bintliff was featured in this year’s Women to Watch issue of Little Rock Soiree.

Like hostas? Stop by the hosta sale and arts and crafts fundraiser on Saturday, August 25, at Rich’s Foxwillow Pines Nursery Inc., Woodstock, Illinois. Proceeds will benefit Heifer International and Mano a Mano International Partners.

The NGO alliance, InterAction, of which Heifer International is a part, recently pledged $750 at the London nutrition summit to invest in nutrition programs over the next five years.

Last Day to Register for “Hoof It for Heifer”

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Kelly MacNeil

The “Hoof It for Heifer” fundraiser, in Heifer International’s home state of Arkansas, is approaching on April 13, 2013. This 20k trail run is a chance to have fun in the late-arriving springtime, test your athleticism, and raise a little money for Heifer’s work to end hunger.

Trail run Hoof It for Heifer

If you’d like to participate, go to the race website quickly - today is the last day runners can register for the this race through Petit Jean State Park.

Around the Web: Tasty Honey, Charitable Reading, Rebuilding Haiti

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Linda Meyers

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.

Lakewood School Read to Feed participants

Photo credit: Lakewood School/West of the I

Six Lakewood School third-graders raised money for Heifer through reading. The news article explains the effort well: “With Read to Feed, students enlist sponsors who pledge donations—a dime, a quarter, a dollar a book, any amount, really. Then they read, and as they finish more books, the pledges grow higher until at the end of the program, the children gather the pledges, pool their money and donate the total collected to Heifer to use to help families build sustainable lives and to become self-reliant.” At Lakewood School, students raised $470, enough to purchase a water buffalo, a goat, a trio of rabbits, a flock of ducks, and a flock of chicks.

Photo credit: http://lagringasblogicito.blogspot.com/2013/03/good-honduran-honey.html

La Gringa wrote a blog post about some really tasty honey she used to sweeten her homemade yogurt. What’s extra special to us about this honey is that it comes from a co-op participating in a Heifer project, the Coapihl cooperative in Honduras.

First Chicago Insurance Company, Inc., through its program to donate one dollar for every new policy issued during 2012, donated close to $17,000 to six charities, including Heifer International. “Even during these challenging economic times, First Chicago Insurance Company, Inc. believes that it is important to honor our corporate responsibility by financially supporting a worthy cause,” stated John Gettemans, the company’s president.

For the second year, Cooperstown Central School’s seventh-graders raised $250 to donate to Heifer International. The money is being matched by local veterinarian Michael Powers, so they are buying a heifer for a family in need. Powers addressed the students, “When you graduate, class of 2018, you will know that this gift is still helping people.”

Connecticut’s Bethel United Methodist Church is raising money for Heifer International’s REACH project: Rural Entrepreneurs for Agricultural Cooperation in Haiti, which connects farming families, aid organizations, producers, municipalities, public-private sector partnerships and others to rehabilitate and strengthen the crop- and livestock-based livelihoods in Haiti destroyed by natural disasters. During April and May 2013, BUMC seeks to raise at least $2,000 for REACH.

Photo credit: St. Louis Today

For the 10th year in a row, Dechesne High School students donate an ark’s worth of animals in a Lenten fundraiser. ”In Lent the idea of fasting and almsgiving is at the core of what the church believes and teaches. (Heifer Project) is just a great way, we think, for students to experience for the first time, in a really cushioned way within the school community, what that spirit of giving is like,” said Alicia Bungum, Duchesne’s campus minister.

Join Cody Belew and ‘Say Love’

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Chelsey McNiel

Proceeds from Cody Belew’s new single “Say Love” will benefit Heifer International. You can buy a “Say Love” T-shirt and help Heifer end global hunger and poverty. You can also join Cody’s #saylove team to support Heifer’s mission.

Cody Belew

“You may know me as the guy from Arkansas who was both chosen and coached by CeeLo Green on The Voice Season 3, but you may not know my formative years were spent doing chores and tending to my family farm. Because of the hard work and community involvement that were so much a part of my life growing up, I vowed early on to use my voice as a means of helping others.

“Knowing people both here and around the world struggle to find food and deal with the issues of hunger and poverty on a daily basis is an alarming thing to me, and this is something that I want to use my voice to eradicate. Heifer International is an organization that shares my dream. I was always aware of the organization because I grew up in Arkansas, but then I began to study their mission and realized they have a tangible solution – a working model that is already in place.

“There’s no need for me to reinvent the wheel when Heifer International is already rolling it along. I believe in the mission of Heifer International and that together we can make a positive difference in our world one gift at a time, one life at a time, one community transformed at a time multiplied into countless others through Heifer’s Passing on the Gift® idea.

“So, I hope you can see how important this is, not only to me, but to those who will have their lives changed because of what we do together. So please join your voice with mine by helping me meet my team fundraising goal so that together we can #saylove and change the world!”

Photo courtesy of Heifer International

Find out how you can help Cody change the world.

From the Field: Heifer Shines While Giving Back

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Chelsey McNiel

This weekly post shines a light on a handful of stories from Heifer.org’s “From the Field” section.

Poverty does not always look the same everywhere. With guidance from Heifer International’s Genuine Need and Justice Cornerstone, project participants and partners continue giving back to those who most need it. From Passing on the Gift® to gala fundraisers, Heifer shines when people work together to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth.

Manamaya Nepali and her son with their family’s goats. Photo courtesy of Heifer International

After she received two goats from Heifer Nepal, Manamaya’s family began the journey from recipients to donors. Animal Management training prepared her for the hard work ahead and paid off when the family’s income increased after selling goat meat. Manamaya has already given back to her community by passing on two goats to another family.

Heifer Uganda was recognized as the 2013 Best Anti-Poverty Organization in Uganda for their investment in bettering the nation’s goods, services, worker’s rights, international practices, environmental protection and daily operation standards. Communities are being transformed through sustainable development as Heifer Uganda staff actively pursue positive change. The award affirms Heifer’s dedication and credibility to many.

The first Heifer Charity Gala in China raised about $96,500. Photo courtesy of Heifer China

Heifer China supporters raised about $96,500 during the Heifer Charity Gala on March 23, 2013. An auction, celebrity performances and donations contributed the the evening’s success. Mao Zhenghua, chairman of Heifer China’s Advisory Council, shared how Heifer is giving back to make profound changes for the nation’s families and communities.

Learn how you can join Heifer in giving back

“Hoof It for Heifer” Tests Trail Runners’ Endurance

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Kelly MacNeil

Twenty kilometers is 12.4 miles, or nearly a half-marathon. It takes most runners over two hours to cover that distance on nicely paved streets. Now imagine running up hills and over streams, through dense woods and over rocks of all sizes. It’s like hiking, just a whole lot faster.

That’s what trail runners will tackle on April 13 in beautiful Petit Jean State Park of Arkansas. And it’s all benefiting Heifer International.

Hoof It for Heifer is a unique fundraiser for athletes who like a challenge, and from last year’s reviews, it sounds like a lot of fun.

Registration for this well-organized trail run is $45 until April 1, so run over to the race’s website and sign up!

Around the Web: Ceramic Bowls, Ornaments and Weaving for a Great Cause

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Linda Meyers

Art students at Cretin-Derham Hall and Nativity of Our Lord Elementary School in St. Paul, Minnesota, will be selling their handmade ceramic bowls at the annual Empty Bowls Benefit on Feb. 6. Proceeds from the event will go to Heifer International.

Holy Apostles Youth Group. Photo credit: The Post-Journal

Many thanks to The Holy Apostles Youth Group, who donated to Heifer International, purchasing shares in chicks, pigs and llamas.

Mom blogger Meagan Paullin says her favorite nonprofit is Heifer International, according to Babble Voices post: 17 Mom Bloggers Share Their Favorite Nonprofits to Support in 2013. She said, “I love the way Heifer International helps build up a whole community. Instead of just giving people food because they’re hungry – they bring in chickens, teach them to raise them, give them the resources that they need. Then they have eggs to eat, or to sell. They can breed and raise more chickens, to feed their family. Then, after they grow enough, they are able to give a small herd of chickens to the next family in their community.”

The St. Bernard’s Art Club for Charity surpassed its goal of raising enough money to buy a water buffalo through Heifer International. In fact, they raised $370 from selling their Christmas ornaments and weaving in November and December, and decided on two shares in a sheep, one share in a pig, one share in a trio of rabbits and a flock of chicks in addition to the water buffalo.

Students at Trinity Episcopal Day School are in the middle of their “change for change” fundraising project for Heifer International. Grades are competing to see who can raise the most funds; the 8th graders are in the lead as of January 17 with $106, but it’s still wide open with and end date of February 14. Simply put by 10th grader Alex Miller, “It’s always good to help other people.”

Help Worldbuilders Fundraiser Reach Goal for Heifer

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Brooke Edwards

Fantasy author Patrick Rothfuss’s yearly fundraiser for Heifer International, Worldbuilders, is quickly coming to a close on January 21, 2013 with a goal of $500,000.

Rothfuss has a broad following of gamers, sci-fi fans, comic-book collectors and fantasy lovers; and he cheerfully urges this fanbase to give through lotteries, giveaways, auctions and product sales. Worldbuilders, started in 2008, has raised more than $1 million for Heifer International. As of this morning, Worldbuilders raised an impressive $310,854 and counting, but hopes for a big push this week to reach its goal.

In 2008, Rothfuss wrote to his blog readers, “If we raise a couple thousand dollars for them, it will make peoples’ lives better. A couple thousand dollars means little kids get milk to drink. It means families get sheep, which means wool for warm blankets and clothes. It means better wells, so moms with babies can have clean water to drink. I think this is something we can all get behind, can’t we?”

To help him reach his goal this year, Rothfuss is offering the chance to play Dungeons & Dragons with him and other authors, or spend a weekend this spring with him and some of his staff at Heifer Ranch, or even a cameo appearance in an upcoming book. Check out Rothfuss’s blog and his eBay auction site for more information on how to support Worldbuilders, or donate straight to the cause on the Worldbuilders Team Heifer page.

Explaining why he chose Heifer International, Rothfuss said, “Heifer International is my favorite charity. It helps people raise themselves up out of poverty and starvation. All over the world Heifer promotes education, sustainable agriculture, local industry, and clean water. They don’t just keep kids from starving, they make it so families can take care of themselves. They give goats, sheep, and chickens to families so their children have milk to drink, warm clothes to wear, and eggs to eat.”

If you are interested in being a part of this fundraiser and helping Worldbuilders reach the $500,000 goal, or for more information, go to www.worldbuilders.org.

Haiti Earthquake: Heifer’s Work Continues

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Brooke Edwards

It’s not news: the world’s poor are the most vulnerable to natural disasters. The 2010 Haiti earthquake highlighted this truth to a shocking degree. There are many factors that contribute to the dire poverty that exists in places like Haiti. Heifer International’s work is to help farming families build resilient livelihoods, making them less vulnerable to natural disasters, economic changes (like rising commodity food prices) and political shocks.

What does a farm family with a sustainable and resilient livelihood look like? They:

Jean Pierre jumped out of a third-story apartment just before the building collapsed into rubble, one of many destroyed during the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010. She is photographed here, sitting in a field in Cance, in rural western Haiti, a year and a half later. Photo by Geoff Oliver Bugbee, courtesy of Heifer International.

Have stable and diverse sources of income
Own secure and productive land
Have savings and can access formal financing (banks, loans, etc.)
Can meet their food needs all year, both through their own production and by affording supplemental food from other sources
Have access to health, education, water, energy, transportation and communication services
Have a strong voice, especially the women, through cooperatives and associations

Heifer’s Rural Entrepreneurs for Agricultural Cooperation in Haiti Project (REACH) is making the above a reality for more than 100,000 Haitians. It’s our largest project in Haiti to date, and it will help participating families and communities far less vulnerable to events like the Haiti earthquake of 2010, because they will have the resiliency to bounce back with minimal assistance.

We need help fulfilling our fundraising goals, and you can give directly to REACH today. What will your gift do? This:

Start family-run breeding centers that will improve the local economy by creating jobs and training participants to provide for improved livestock breeds– something that has never been done before in Haiti.
Improve Haiti’s soil so it will produce better crops, increasing crop production and quality, and ultimately growing enough food that farmers can use to sell for income and build businesses.
Train Haitian farmers in disaster preparedness and teaching them how to protect their biggest assets–their livestock.
Protect the environment by placing animals where they are complementary to the crops, and train participants techniques such as zero-grazing, which protects ground cover and makes collecting manure for organic fertilizer easy. Our goal is to leave the environment better than we found it.

A Haiti REACH goat breeding center. Photo by Jason Woods, courtesy of Heifer International.

We cannot predict the next time a major natural disaster like the 2010 Haiti earthquake will strike. Through REACH, however, we can help ensure at least 100,000 Haitians will be less vulnerable.

Give to REACH now to become part of this important work.

A New Beginning With Heifer in Milot, Haiti

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Jason Woods

Editor’s note: As we approach the third anniversary of the earthquake that devastated the lives of so many Haitians, we are asking for your help in raising funds to continue the important work of rebuilding livelihoods in post-earthquake Haiti. Visit www.heifer.org/reachout to learn more and give.

Author’s note: In 2012, I traveled to Haiti to spend a couple of weeks visiting projects with Heifer Haiti staff. For previous posts on my trip, see my page.

Toussaint Christophe lives just off the road that takes travelers to nearby Milot, Haiti. There, he earns money by breaking limestone and selling it as construction material.

Toussaint Christophe and his goats in Milot, Haiti. Photo by Jason Woods, courtesy of Heifer International.

But not too far from his house, Toussaint also cultivates yams, bananas and beans and takes care of four goats and a cow–all of which came from Heifer through the From the Ground Up project. The crops and livestock will supplement both his diet and income.

“Since I was a young man, I’ve seen people with cows,” Toussaint said. “This is the first time I’ve had one.”

Goats are a more familiar sight to Toussaint. His parents raised and bred goats, and he began helping the effort as soon as he was able. At age 14, he received his first goat. Shortly after, Toussaint’s family was robbed of all 15 of their goats, and he, his parents and six siblings had to rely solely upon selling bananas and yams to the market.

Compounding the situation, the family’s house burned down a few years later. The fire killed one of his brothers and left another paralyzed. Toussaint’s family never found out how the house burned down, but they suspect it was arson. Around the same time, four of his siblings became ill with asthma problems.

After the fire, Toussaint dropped out of school to help support his family.

“The first time I went to school, I was 17 because my parents were not supportive of that kind of thing,” he said. “When the house burned, we lost everything. (My parents) wanted me to work.”

Toussaint Christophe near his home in Milot, Haiti. Photo by Jason Woods, courtesy of Heifer International.

Toussaint’s children, however, are getting the opportunity he never had. Both of his sons, who are in their mid-20s, are in secondary school in Cap Haitien, about 12 miles away.

And Toussaint’s informal education has continued through Heifer trainings.

“I have had many trainings… (including) techniques for dividing yam roots and goat production,” he said. “I can now treat some of the kinds of diseases that goats have. In the past, I (would have) to pay a veterinarian for everything the goats needed. Now, I can give a first examination or first aid to the goats.”

The project with Heifer marks the first time Toussaint has owned goats since his teenage years, and this is not something he takes lightly.

“I take care of (the goats) as well as I would a person,” he said. “I like to see them right.”

Toussaint Christophe smiles near his home in Milot, Haiti. Photo by Jason Woods, courtesy of Heifer International.

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