Stretching across the globe, Heifer International has been providing low-income families with a means of sustainable living for over 60 years. The group uses the acronym PASSING ON THE GIFTS to create a unique twelve-part cornerstone of sustainability.
- Passing on the gift
- Accountability
- Sharing and Caring
- Sustainability and Self-reliance
- Improved Animal Management
- Nutrition and Income
- Gender and Family Focus
- Genuine Need and Justice
- Improving the Environment
- Full Participation
- Training and Education
- Spirituality
Heifer International has come up with a number of creative ways in which to get involved and "Pass on the Gifts." Individuals may choose the type of animal(s) they would like to donate and will receive information about the country the gift will be sent to.
Rather than giving money individually (although the organization readily accepts private donations) why not get others involved too? Some of the ideas listed on the Heifer International website include the following:
Team Heifer- a fundraising effort in which an individual can set a goal and recruit friends and family to become team members in order to raise money to assist the organization. By logging onto the organization's website, you can add your team's efforts onto the worldwide Pass on the Gift map.
Host a Meal- create a dinner featuring foods from the countries and regions where the organization works. Decorate with displays, maps, and information about what the group is doing around the world. Heifer International even allows you to order kits for your event. Make sure to add your event to the map!
Showcase a Heifer-theme book at your book club- raise awareness about the group through choosing a book discussing hunger, poverty, and environmental issues. Gather friends, family, colleagues or local businesses to support the effort and discussion and encourage them to donate to the cause. Heifer actually sells several books about its work on the official website.
Organize a Chores for Change Challenge- not only is it a catchy title but it also does a great deal to help fight hunger. Challenge family and friends to volunteer at local soup kitchens or food banks. Have each participant recruit sponsors to pledge donations for the time spent in volunteer activities. Send the donations to Heifer International in order to help fight hunger on a global scale!
Coordinate a Dare-A-Thon- let friends and family dare you to do silly things like dye or shave your hair, take a pie to the face, or kiss a pig in exchange for a donation to the group. Add your event to the Pass on the Gift map!
Simplify Your Life- just think about all of those old items sitting in your garage and attic...the roller-blades you are never going to use, that awful old vase your aunt gave you as a housewarming present...Now gather those old items you don't touch for a good cause! Create a mass garage or yard sale with the families in your neighborhood! Publicize the event and let people know that all proceeds will go to Heifer International. Create pamphlets for families to keep out on the tables explaining what the organization does for low-income families. Invite the local paper or TV crews to publicize the event. Pool all the money at the end of the sales and send it to Heifer!
Casual day at the office- talk to your employer about holding a casual or theme day (or week) at the office. Have your colleagues pay to dress up, or down, and send the proceeds to the group. Add it to the map!
Pass on the Gift of Pounds- collect money to help those in need while shedding extra "pounds" for the cause! Ask people you know to sponsor your weight loss. For each pound you lose, raise money to help those in need! It's an easy way to stay motivated!
It's no wonder that this group has been in existence as long as it has. It is well run and dedicated to its cause. For more information and how and where to send funds, please visit http://www.heifer.org/site/c.slI3IdNVJuE/b.4912843/k.D236/Give_Now.htm?msource=TH1E100003
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