Zane-y Crooner Hip to Heifer

Popular children’s musician shares message about hunger, poverty
By Austin Gelder  | World Ark Associate Editor

Combining learning with fun comes easy for Dan Zanes, the wild-haired, suit-wearing Grammy winner whose eclectic children’s music endears him to preschoolers and parents alike. The guitar-playing singer gives his time, energy and some of his profits to Heifer International.

Musician Dan Zanes on the set of his music video "Holiday Time in Brooklyn"

Zanes said he works with Heifer because the idea of sending animals to help families become self-reliant resonates with his young fans. When he talks about Heifer’s work during his concerts, the children understand the concept and embrace it.

“I liked how long the program has been going, and all of the success, but I really appreciated that the program was so easy to explain to young people,” he said. “I can explain it in a couple of minutes, kids get it and they want to help. They want to know that they can do something.”

Each animal Heifer provides brings us closer to a peaceful, secure world, Zanes said.

“Post-911, I started reading statistics about world hunger. I started thinking about security and what that really meant. It became clear to me that we really would never live in a secure world as long as thousands of people every day were dying from hunger and we weren’t taking care of each other.”

Learn more about Heifer's exciting educational opportunities.

Zanes doesn’t limit his generosity to Heifer International. He also supports the United Farm Workers, the Southern Poverty Law Center and other groups working to end poverty and racism.

“I think with all the groups that I’m attracted to, the spirit is the same. They’re looking around and seeing who’s being taken care of and who’s not, who’s been invited to the party and who’s not, who’s in the shadows, who’s suffering, who’s experiencing racism. That seems at the core.”

To read more about Dan Zanes, his music and his work with Heifer International, check out the November/December 2008 issue of World Ark magazine, available online at www.heifer.org/worldark beginning Nov. 1.

Also be sure to check out www.danzanes.com.