Unbelievable Response from Dark Horse, Faith UMC Clinches the Goat Trophy!

Change for Kids Challenge Totals
Faith UMC 792.30
Coopersville UMC 207.96
Grandvillle UMC 72.10
GR First UMC 52.11
Wesley Park UMC 40.67
Trinity UMC 15.00
GRAND TOTAL 1180.14

Due to a communication gaff, we were unaware that Faith UMC had entered the lists. Anonymity must have suited the dark horse entry because they pulled off a stunning upset with both the highest total of participants and the amazing total of $792.30! We are reliably informed that it was Heifer Enthusiast Sally LaFrance's leadership that led to this surprising outcome. Congratulations to Faith UMC! Your giving will purchase six goats with some left over. What a wonderful change for the kids in Guatemala.

3 More UMC Churches Join the Field

We are so thrilled to add the following churches to the Change For Kids Challenge Race. Trinity United Methodist on Lake Drive will be participating. As will Grand Rapids First United Methodist Church--leading the way once again. :) Finally, Byron Center United Methodist Church will complete our list of competitors this year.
It looks like no matter how you slice it the United Methodist Church is coming out a winner.

Grandville United Methodist Church is in!

The UMC will be well represented at this year's market. Thanks for your support!

Wesley Park UMC takes up the challenge

Our host, Wesley Park United Methodist Church, will be participating in the Change for Kids Challenge. We are thrilled to add them to the running. If your church is interested there's still plenty of time to call and sign up. All materials are high-quality and free.

Keeping Kids Busy!

There has always been lots for children to see and do at Heifer Happening, but this year's market is bursting with activities even before they step in the door. Let's take a look at a young person's potential schedule at this year's market.

September 30--Pick up the Fill The Ark Bank and Calendar and begin the four week program of learning about world hunger and Heifer's friendly animal solutions. Start filling the bank one nickel at a time.
October 27--Head out to Heifer Happening.
Arrive at Wesley Park UMC and say hello to the Alpaca on the church lawn.
Receive the Market Passport filled with games and activities and opportunities to win prizes.
Dash over to the Change for Kids Challenge booth to have the change in the Ark bank counted and be entered into the "You Really Got Our Goat!" Competition.
Meet the animals and learn about how they help families provide food, clothing, shelter and education to children around the world.
Take a tour of the world by visiting the Project booths.
Listen to the Storyteller and learn some songs at the Heifer Theater. Hang around to see the video about Beatrice Biira, from the book Beatrice's Goat, now that she is all grown up.
Take a break and get some food downstairs. All this talk about World Hunger can sure get your tummy rumbling!
Drop by the craft table for face painting and fun craft projects with Lori.
Look at the cool fair-trade purchases mom made.
Say goodbye to the alpaca on your way back to the car, full of happy memories and dreams for a world without hunger.

Three or Four Nickels

Here is a sample of the daily readings from the four-week calendar that forms the backbone of the Change for Kids Challenge. Every night as families sit down to dinner they have a little paragraph like this one to read and a giving challenge.
Teaching children about world hunger is a difficult task for any parent to undertake. The Heifer Fill the Ark Calendar and Bank helps parents present the problem with enough hope that children come away from the experience feeling empowered instead of overwhelmed. Three or four nickels is all it takes to help children begin to understand the importance of helping others.
Won't you as a church family undertake to help your children begin the lifelong habit of remembering those who won't be eating before they sit down to dinner? One little boy put his lunch in Jesus hands and 5,000 were fed. Let's see what God will do with your children's spare change.

Coopersville United Methodist Church is the first hat in the ring!

Our thanks go out to Coopersville United Methodist Church the first church to register for the Change for Kids Challenge. Your Ark Banks and Calendars are on the way! Good Luck. We hope you "Get Our Goat!"