Heifer Study Tour in Peru

Posted by Noland Hoshino

To witness a "Passing on the Gift" ceremony is a very special moment. Each one different. Each one with it's own story to tell. Read the many stories of our Heifer Study Tour to Peru.

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

Make a Donation

Posted by Noland Hoshino

Want to buy an income-producing animal to help a family in need? A cow perhaps? Maybe a goat? A flock of chicks? Make a donation to Heifer International on our Team Heifer Portland page. We set our goal of $5000 and we are almost there. Thank you for your contribution to global hunger and poverty.

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, Portland Volunteer Coordinator 11/11/2009
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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Heifer Portland, heiferportland@gmail.com

Eliza Penick, Western Region Coordinator, Heifer International, eliza.penick@heifer.org

Noland Hoshino, Heifer Portland Social Media Manager, noland@bcausemedia.com

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About Us

Heifer International Portland is a grassroots volunteer group in Portland Oregon and Southwest Washington, with a common goal of fulfilling Heifer International's basic mission - "To end hunger and save the earth by passing on the gift to others."

We are an extension of Heifer International and together we are improving our world and the lives of resource-poor families while building the foundation for a peaceful world in practical, down-to-earth ways.