Pride Charity for Heifer International. Pride Charity is an organization of young boys and girls in Valleyford, WA, committed to making a difference in the world with a simple mission of "Helping Others." Three boys, Sayge, Liam, and Preston are working with other local community members and the local schools to meet their goal of raising $5000 for Heifer International. Read their inspiring story here.

Give a man a Heifer...Feed Him for a Lifetime. Megan Isenberg takes into consideration a range of ethical issues when procuring, preparing and eating food. Her interest also includes sustainable living, the impact on natural and human environments, animal welfare, workers' rights, and food safety. So when she received her Heifer International Gift catalog in the mail, she instantly became a fan of the organization.

How 13 Friends Give to Heifer International. Thirteen friends decided to make a charitable contribution to Heifer International instead of giving big gifts.
Peachy Green: A Greener Gift Exchange. With the economy still struggling to stay afloat and people generally more conscious about consumption and waste, wouldn’t it be wonderful to consider a greener gift exchange? Check out Peachy Green's post.

We always find interesting articles and videos by people who are passionate about Heifer International.

Check out Heifer's work with the East Africa Dairy Development project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as Heifer Uganda literacy and animal projects, here. Take a moment to Pass On The Gift and end world hunger!

Check out our Gift Catalog -- It's the ultimate unique holiday gift: http://www.heifer.org/catalog or give directly to the Uganda Project

WhatGives has some good things to say about Heifer here
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During our campaign to win the NameYourCause.com contest to BlogWorld, Bryan and I used a 30" stuffed cow animal (which I named "Haley") to gain votes.

We took pictures of "Haley" with signs "Vegas or Bust" and "Vote for us," to maximize the cuteness factor to win the contest. It worked because Heifer Portland placed in the Top 10 and we went to BlogWorld!

Since "Haley" was instrumental to our success, we decided to take her to the BlogWorld and New Media conference in Las Vegas. She was too large to be packed in our suitcase, so we had to carry her on our travel. I thought, "If I'm going to look silly carrying a large cow around I might as well publicize it," so I tied a large cow bell around her neck.

"Clank, clank, clank!" What we didn't expect was how much attention we got carrying a cow.

When we rode the shuttle bus from the airport parking lot to the terminal, people on the bus were wondering why we were carrying a large cow. I said, "We are on our way to the BlogWorld and New Media convention in Las Vegas for Heifer International." "What's Heifer International?" the friendly strangers asked. Then we would tell them all about Heifer International's good will to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. This scenario happened several times during our travel.

My favorite was when we left Las Vegas and had a bite to eat at a restaurant in the Las Vegas airport. The waitress asked, "What's up with the cow?" Again, we told her that we were volunteers for Heifer International and we were on our way home from the conference. She asked, "What's Heifer International?" After explaining to her about the nonprofit organization and handing her a business card and gift catalog she was thrilled. A few minutes later, she brought over another waitress to learn about Heifer International.

The lesson here...carry a cow for a cause (or anything else). You might think it's silly, but you'll get people's attention and start a conversation.

What do you do to broadcast your message for your cause?

Noland Hoshino
Heifer International Portland Volunteer
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Everyday we read stories about global issues, such as hunger and poverty, life threatening illnesses, human trafficking, climate change and global warming, and you say to yourself "I have an idea!"

Here's an opportunity to put your idea on the table and be evaluated by some of the world's most intelligent people.

On November 14th, Mensa International is launching the first brainstorming benefit -- Idea Aid. For a single week, some of the world’s brightest minds — including members of Mensa International, along with academics, students, marketers and renowned experts —will come together online to focus on complex issues that affect everyone, everywhere.

The first issue: The Heifer Challenge -- Eradicate Global Poverty. The goal is to find new ways of ending hunger and poverty, while caring for the earth.

To participate in this landmark brainstorming benefit event, please register here or visit www.ideaaid.com

Idea Aid is not about giving "Moo-lah," but donating ideas. What's on your mind?

Noland Hoshino
Heifer International Portland Volunteer
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