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.

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.

Inspire your church with hope about hunger.

A goat can make a huge difference in the life of a child in a developing country. Any doubt about that can be dispelled by the story of Beatrice Biira, retold in the best-selling, children's book Beatrice's Goat. When Mugisa (their goat) arrived, the family had been struggling just to survive, but after Mugisa they had enough money to send Beatrice to school. Beatrice is now a student at a college in the U.S., and the subject of a recent special on 60 Minutes.
We'd like to challenge West Michigan's children to save enough change to purchase a goat, so that another girl or boy can benefit in the same way Beatrice has. Local churches and schools can get involved by requesting Ark banks and calendars that will help the children save their change. Children will then bring their banks to the Living Gift Market, and we'll keep track to see which organization brought in the most change to make the biggest difference.
To get your organization in on the act, contact us through our email address--heiferhappening@gmail.com