Heifer International presents workshop at First Presbyterian

~ Partner families pass on the gift of their animals' offspring to others in need.

A free workshop will be presented by Heifer International, a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to help end world hunger and poverty through self-reliance and sustainability, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 10 at First Presbyterian Church, 235 Broadway, Cape Girardeau.

The Rev. Grant Gillard of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson and the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer, partners in vacation Bible school, have supported the Heifer program at VBS by purchasing fish, bees, goats and even a heifer through donations given by children attending. Children learn about the animals selected for gifts through crafts and musical activities incorporated in Bible school programming. Roethemeyer has dressed up as just about every animal VBS has given, and along with Gillard, the pair perform an entertaining skit that helps children understand what the gift of livestock means to a family in need.

"I remember them doing this (supporting Heifer International) in my home church in Nashville, Ill., when I was growing up in the '50s. I'm really very positive about this organization and love to do it every year," Roethemeyer said.

Gillard said he remembered buying goat's milk for the children attending VBS to try to help them understand how they were helping other families. He recalled donations of fish, bees and a heifer, one of the higher priced livestock animals.

Gift of self-reliance

Livestock purchased for a family in need come with training and year after year, partner families "pass on the gift" of knowledge and one or more of their animals' offspring to others in need. By helping people feed themselves through sustainability and self-reliance, the program provides a network of hope and dignity.

This simple idea of giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief has continued for almost 60 years. Today, millions of families in 128 countries have been given the gifts of self-reliance and hope. With the gifts comes better health, more income and the joy of helping others.

The workshop will include an historical overview and Heifer International's plans to fulfill its mission in the future, as well as useful information about how supporters can affect hunger and poverty on a global level with simple earth-friendly solutions. Workshop leaders include Heifer International's Mid-West regional director Dave Boothby and Missouri representative Audrey Phelps.

A barbecue lunch will be provided with a vegetarian option. Registration deadline is March 3. Register by calling Audrey Phelps at (573) 474-7155 or e-mail phelps@umocm.com. Visit www.heifer.org for more information.