Heifer Portland: Carrying a Cow for a Cause

Send Notes of Encouragement

Posted by Noland Hoshino

Heifer is asking our staff, volunteers and friends to provide personal encouragement, support and well wishes to our staff in Haiti. You can send a note to our Haiti staff by e-mailing: haitirecovery@heifer.org

The Most Important Catalog in the World

Posted by Noland Hoshino

Did you get the greatest gift catalog in the world, The Heifer International's Living Gift Catalog, in the mail today? Christmas is just around the corner (I know it's hard to believe) and you'll be sorting out your naughty or nice list. Ties, socks, gadgets, widgets and toys, are nice but why not buy a gift that will change someone's life.

Cards for Cows

Posted by Noland Hoshino

How many people does it take to make a difference? One. An extraordinary one. 13-year old Zach Meskell makes homemade greeting cards, Cards for Cows, to raise money and global hunger awareness for Heifer International. Learn about this incredible young man who is making a difference

Heifer Portland BlogWorld Experience

Posted by Noland Hoshino

Last weekend we attended the 2009 BlogWorld and New Media Expo in Las Vegas, and it far exceeded our expectations. As you know, we got to BlogWorld (the only industry-wide conference and trade show for the growing world of blogging and new media) by placing in the Top 10 of the NameYourCause.com contest. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported us

12 Myths About Hunger

Posted by Heifer Portland

Why are there people who go hungry? In most developed countries, a general scarcity of food is seldom the cause of hunger. The United States, for example, produces enough food for its 303 million people as well as for much of the rest of the world. It is the lack of means to acquire food that is the problem.

Carrying a Cow for a Cause

Posted by Noland Hoshino On Wednesday, November 11, 2009

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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