Our Gracious Host, Wesley Park United Methodist Church

For the third year in a row, Wesley Park United Methodist Church has agreed to host Heifer Happening. Located at 1150 32nd St. SW in Wyoming, this vibrant congregation makes space for us not just on the day of the event, but they also host our planning meetings.
Wesley Park has a commitment to the community that shines through in it's many ministries. My favorite Wesley Park idea is their recycling efforts. What a great way to honor our stewardship of this planet. They are also hosting the worship experience U2Charist which features the music of U2, and the work of the One Campaign.
Take some time to explore their interesting website and get to know this fascinating church.

Pigs for a Polish Orphanage

POLAND Swine Project for Eagle's Nest Orphanage
27-0634-01

This project is designed to improve the nutrition and financial situation of the children in the Marwica orphanage through pig breeding and organic farming. The Eagle’s Nest Orphanage in Marwica is a state-owned institution financed from public funds. It suffers from a shortage of resources, and headmaster Dariusz Wasinski and other staff must constantly seek additional sources of financing. Most of the 70 children (between the ages of 3 and 18) in the orphanage are “social orphans,” given up by their parents because of financial hardship or removed from their homes by the court order due to lack of proper parental care. Most of them came from rural areas and have been exposed to farm activities in the past. Eight sows will be provided to the orphanage farm, as well as training in pig breeding and organic farming. This will not only improve the children’s nutrition, but will teach them practical skills that may prove useful in their adult lives. Moreover, farm activities will involve them in meaningful work which may ease their emotional problems.

Quality Industrial Services has agreed to sponsor this project.

Our Project Display Designer, Ashley Gerou

We are thrilled to announce that Ashley Gerou, a student at Kendall College of Art and Design has agreed to create our Project Displays. Ashley says she was inspired to become an artist by her great-grandmother. The two of them used to bond over art projects. Ashley cites her great-grandmother and Claude Monet as the artists that have had the most influence on her style. She says "those two artists have more of a classical approach and a subtle elegance which I like to portray in my works."
When I asked Ashley what drew her to volunteer to help us, she said that many organizations just make donations of money, but Heifer actually helps these countries produce their own income and that aspect made our gift market seem like a good project to help out. She hopes that her designs are "an appealing showcase of what is being done so it will help others understand, relate and contribute to the organization in a simple, yet eye-catching manner."
Ashley desires to work in the fashion industry doing graphic design for magazines when she finishes her studies. We are sure we'll be proud to say we "knew her when...."
Thank you, Ashley for your donation of time and imagination.

Peru Project

PERU La Union Integrated Ecological Management Project
23-0238-70

This project will improve the nutrition and income of 540 families of limited means in La Union, Peru. The participants are members of the Association of Organic Crop Growers and the La Union Women’s Federation. Families will receive guinea pigs, chickens, worms, beehives, and alpacas. In addition, dehydrators for medicinal plants will be installed, and basic veterinary medical kits and revolving seed banks will be established.

This project is being sponsored by Russ' Restaurants. We have five other equally worthy projects still looking for sponsors. If your local business is interested, please contact us at heiferhappening@gmail.com.

Russ' Restaurant Sponsors Peru Project!

Russ' Restaurant has always been all about ending hunger and doing so deliciously! We are proud to announce that Russ' will be partnering with us to end hunger not just here in West Michigan but also in Peru.
Thank you, Russ' for your support and community spirit.

Navajo Project

NAVAJO U.S. Genetic Improvement for Scrapies Resistant Sheep
26-0631-02

The Genetic Improvement for Scrapie-Resistant Sheep project is located in a disadvantaged area of the Navajo Nation with over 58 percent of the people living below the poverty line. There is a high high-school drop-out rate and an increasing suicide rate among youths. This project offers an opportunity to 90 FFA members to gain knowledge, new skills and self-esteem by doing applied research that combines aquaculture of Gambusia fish to control the mosquito transmitter of the West Nile virus with five species of pastured poultry to monitor the virus, and have an early detection of the virus in birds at a stage where damage to the sheep, horses and humans can be prevented. This project will also involve the genetic selection of Suffolk sheep with RR genes, which will equip the students with new tools to raise animals resistant to Scrapie and other mosquito-transmitted diseases. It will increase the potential of developing profitable sheep production, enabling them to carry on their native traditions with the training and animals received. This is a new youth project of high importance to Heifer’s Southwest Program because of its social, environmental and economic impact.

This project has been sponsored by BHT and D Financial Group.

Ducks and Geese, but no chicks!

Phyllis Karsina is more than happy to man the ducks and geese table--after we decided a "Fowl" booth was a stinker of an idea and gave the chickens a booth of their own.
Phyllis was introduced to Heifer by her son. After doing some further research, she was impressed with the way that Heifer helps people. Retirement means that Phyllis has some spare time to donate, and Heifer was a natural place to volunteer.
This isn't Phyllis' first stint working at an animal booth. At the 2005 Living Gift Market, she helped out at the rabbit booth. Last year she worked at the Heifer products booth, and this year she wanted to do more. Since working tables at the LGM is a better fit for Phyllis than public speaking, Nancy suggested she keep the minutes of the organizing committee's meetings. Phyllis has been doing a great job of keeping everything straight.
When I asked Phyllis to name her favorite Heifer animal, she had a hard time. "I like all animals except chickens and cannot really say I have a favorite." I guess it's a good thing we separated those birds. We would hate to "fowl up" our relationship with one of our best volunteers.