Our First Press Kit is Finished and Available

For the first time, we are offering the media a press kit. We have gathered together all the details of the Living Gift Market including photos, interviews with market volunteers, and other useful information. Writers and members of the media may request one through our email address, heiferhappening@gmail.com. One kit per media outlet only. Thanks.

Steve Ellens will present "Meet Dan West"

Steve Ellens, of Master Arts Theater, will be presenting the monologue "Meet Dan West" at the Market this year. With decades of experience in more that 50 plays, he is sure to capture the spirit of Heifer's visionary founder. Steve is already preparing for the role by listening to recordings of Dan West speaking and rehearsing the script. He is hoping to find a video of Dan to further enable him to bring the character to life.
This isn't a new kind of project for Steve, he was also tapped to present a monologue about an influential doctor at Butterworth Hospital. Steve has directed plays and appeared in commercials. Working with Master Arts Theater seemed like a natural choice. "It’s basically a Christian Theater. They do good work, nothing half-way. I liked acting before so it was a double benefit, I could do Christian work and still act." Working with the troupe has also opened other doors for Steve expanding his career.
Steve's favorite Heifer animal is the cow. He was a farm boy for eighteen years, growing up with Holsteins. We're so glad that Steve will be able to bring some of Heifer's history to life.

Affordable Feasts Sponsors Pig Booth

Affordable Feasts knows a good bargain when they see one, after all they are experts in feasting Grand Rapids for less. Their legendary pig roast is a sure crowd-pleaser.
This year the pigs purchased at the Living Gift Market will be going to an orphanage in Poland where they will not only provide much needed income to keep the orphanage solvent, they will also provide comfort to the children and skills they can take into adulthood.
Thank you, Affordable Feasts, for making certain that Grand Rapidians aren't the only ones at the table.

While you're shopping, check out Esperanza en Accion

Esperanza en Accion will be bringing fair-trade goods from Nicaragua to sell at this year's LGM. Committed to paying fair prices to the artisans, seamstresses, and coffee growers of Nicaragua, Esperanza is changing lives in the second poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Many of the families that work with Esperanza en Accion start out with nothing, but when they begin receiving fair wages they are able to send their children to school, build safe homes and provide for their family's day to day needs.
Be sure to stop by the table filled with pottery, jewelry, baskets, clothing and coffee from Nicaragua, and take some time to learn about the importance of fair-trade goods.

Doctor Satterlee cares for Zambian Project

Dr. Linda Satterlee of Belding has agreed to sponsor the Zambian project at this year's Living Gift Market. As a doctor she knows the importance of good nutrition and the power of putting hope in the hands of young people. We know the young people of the Monze Diocese of Zambia will be glad for the help.
We certainly are.

Quality Industrial Services takes on the Polish orphanage project.

Quality Industrial Services know a thing or two about how to help a small business expand. The Eagle's Orphanage project is a small farming enterprise that will supply vital funds to support the orphanage. The training in good farm practices will also help the orphans be prepared with life-skills they can take away into adulthood.
Thank you, QIS. We are glad we passed your inspection.

H and W Farms Sponsors Guatemala Project

H and W Farms

From one farmer to another H and W Farms, which processes one million pounds of cherries and one hundred thousand bushels of apples annually, offers support to Guatemalan farmers as they seek to become self-sufficient. This is a particularly appropriate match as organic farming methods and a tree nursery are an important part of the Guatemalan project.
Thank you, H and W Farms for passing on the gift of your success.

Navajo Project sponsored by BHT and D Financial Group

If anyone is able to way the merits of Heifer's approach to helping the poor it has to be Biggs, Hausserman, Thompson and Dickinson. BHT and D Financial Group has been providing sound financial advice to Grand Rapids businesses since 1971. We are proud to have them sponsor our Navajo Project.
Thank you, BHT and D. We appreciate your support.