Living Our Faith Through Giving:

This year, our children and congregation came together in a meaningful way to support Heifer International, a global nonprofit working to eradicate poverty and hunger through sustainable, values-based, holistic community development. Heifer International partners with families around the world by providing livestock, agricultural resources, and education that empower communities toward long-term self-sufficiency.

Through generous fundraising efforts and Vacation Bible School, our church raised enough to donate $2,500 worth of support and animals, helping provide a family—and their community—with resources that can truly last a lifetime.

During Sunday School, students thoughtfully brainstormed ways to create sustainable change through livestock, education, and community support. Together, they selected gifts that address nutrition, clean water, education, environmental care, and economic stability, including:

• Hope Basket ($50): Rabbits and a starter flock of chickens, along with training and education

• Gift of Clean Water ($300): Support for treadle pumps, water conservation, and organic fertilizers

• Mating Pair of Cattle ($1,000): A heifer and a bull to improve the productivity of a struggling farm and provide valuable offspring

• Two Sheep ($240): Wool and milk to provide clothing and nourishment for families living in harsh environments

• Two Pigs ($240): Protein and nourishment to help pull families from under the burden of hunger

• Community Animal Health Worker Kit ($200): Education and materials to keep animals in the community safe and healthy

• Garden Seeds ($60): Fruit and vegetable seedlings with education about healthy soil

• Earth Gift Basket ($60): A hive of bees and tree seedlings to increase crop production while caring for the Earth

• Send a Girl to School ($275): Educational support, learning materials, and school expenses

• Women’s Self-Help Group ($72): Education and community support to help women create better lives for their families

In addition, we are deeply thankful for a generous donor who made it possible to give two Gifts of a Water Buffalo ($250 each). These water buffalo will provide rich, protein-filled milk and help make farming easier by tilling fields and producing natural fertilizer—further strengthening long-term sustainability.

We are incredibly proud of our students for their compassion, creativity, and commitment to helping others. Their thoughtful choices reflect a deep understanding of stewardship, sustainability, and God’s call to love our neighbors near and far. Thank you to everyone who gave, supported, and prayed—together, we are making a lasting difference.

If you are interested in donating directly to this program or learning more about Heifer International’s gift catalog, please visit:
https://www.heifer.org/give/gift-catalog/all-gifts

Your generosity helps provide hope, dignity, and sustainable resources to families and communities around the world.