Heifer Seattle

Hope for Haiti

2010-01-25T11:36:00.000-08:00

Heifer International issues appeal to aid Haiti earthquake victims Aid will follow first-responders to help families rebuild lives, livelihoods
Heifer International is issuing an emergency appeal for funds to help families in Haiti recover and restore their lives in the wake of the catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the tiny Caribbean nation on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010.
“Heifer is by no means a traditional first responder,” said Steve Denne, chief operating officer of the global hunger and poverty organization, “but we have projects and partner families in Haiti who likely have lost everything, and now, with this devastation, the need is even greater than before. This appeal will help us help our current families begin to rebuild their lives, and provide the chance to help even more families recover from this devastating blow.”
The massive 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti was the strongest to hit the country in 200 years and was felt as far away as Cuba. The quake brought down buildings including the presidential palace, hotels, a hospital, and the UN headquarters in the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince
“It's really a catastrophe of major proportions,” Haiti's ambassador to the United States, Raymond Alcide Joseph, told CNN.
Heifer International has worked in Haiti for 10 years, and currently has 16 projects under way with more than 16,000 families and several farmer associations. The projects in Haiti, which are scattered around the country, with none close to Port-au-Prince, range from training in sustainable farming and crop diversity to gifts of livestock, seeds, trees and grains to training in nutrition, aquaculture and fish production.
Heifer International has seven employees in Haiti, with offices in Cap-Haitien in the north and Les Cayes in the south. The epicenter of the earthquake was near the capital of Port-au-Prince, where Heifer’s offices had been located until June 2009.
At the time of this writing, there has been little contact with Heifer staff or partners in Haiti, though efforts continue. “Our thoughts are with them, and we are preparing to respond with the most appropriate and most needed help we can,” said Denne. “This is a country that even in the best of times faces hardships most of us cannot imagine.
“We, all of us, have an obligation—a duty—to help any way we can.”
Funds raised in this appeal will be used in the recovery and rebuilding effort in Haiti in the wake of the earthquake. Any funds that exceed the level needed to provide relief in this rebuilding effort will go toward the disaster relief fund and for the entire mission of Heifer International.

via heifer.org

WE'RE MOOOOVING!

2009-11-19T14:06:00.001-08:00

The Seattle Volunteer Blog is on its way to being bigger & better, with the help of a new Nation-Wide Heifer Volunteer Blog Template created by one of our very own (Portland volunteer Noland Hoshino).
Please be patient during this transition & check back for the new look!

Heifer 101

2009-05-08T12:20:00.001-07:00

On Saturday May 2nd eight dedicated volunteers attended the Seattle offering of Heifer 101. We were presented with many facts and figures about world hunger in general and about how Heifer works towards its goal of ending this tragedy. For some of us it was an introduction to how Heifer works. For others it was a review - but from my perspective, a review that excites and energizes me all over again. Based on the questions that were being asked by both newcomers and seasoned volunteers, it seemed that everyone was wanting to embrace Heifer's mission of ending hunger and poverty in the world.

We enjoyed a tasty lunch of soup, salad, and bread, with yummy cookies as a treat.

Thanks, Eliza, for all your work in putting this workshop on. It was well worth it.

Bloggers Unite!

2009-04-29T09:18:00.000-07:00

Unite For Hunger And Hope

http://www.heifer.org/site/c.slI3IdNVJuE/b.4861851…

April 29, 2009

Objective:
All you have to do to help end world hunger is to join thousands of others bloggers on April 29 and write a post about world hunger.

BlogCatalog members and Heifer International are partnering to call for the end of world hunger and start of hope on April 29. All we ask is that you join thousands of other bloggers and write a post about world hunger on April 29. You can make a difference.

• Right now, more than 500 million people are living in "absolute poverty" and more than 15 million children die of hunger every year.

• World Health Organization estimates that one-third of the population is underfed and another third is starving.

• Even in the United States, 46 percent of African-American children and 49 percent of Latino children are considered chronically hungry.

Organizations like Heifer International are the solution. Every day in April, Heifer International is lifting people out of poverty by providing communities with livestock and agricultural training to improve lives and inspire hope. What can you do?

• Join this event and add a badge to your blog before April 29.

• Watch for upcoming news releases and topic backgrounders.

• Visit Heifer International to learn more about Pass On The Gift.

• Make a small donation or take some other action to end world hunger.

• Post about world hunger on April 29 with links to solutions all over the world.

new look is here

2009-04-03T12:50:00.000-07:00

Here's the first look at the newly redesigned blog. Please let me know of any and all comments, constructive criticisms, etc. It's a work in progress!

new look coming soon

2009-02-26T11:22:00.000-08:00

Good news! We're working to update the blog and give it a fresh new look. We'll get back to adding minutes of our meetings, as well as a calendar to have a place of easy reference for upcoming events, helping us all to stay connected more easily. Check back soon!

Seattle Heifer U

2008-07-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

Mark Saturday October 11th on your calendar!

Interested in learning how communities around the world are addressing hunger and poverty while restoring local ecosystems?
Curious about how you can promote socially just and sustainable actions within your community and around the world?
Looking to connect with a diverse group of people and be empowered to create positive change?

Heifer U invites concerned citizens over the age of 15 to explore the challenges of global hunger and poverty and come away determined to be a part of the solution.

Saturday, October 11th
10am - 3pm
Lunch will be provided.

Location TBA.

To RSVP for this event or for more information, please contact:
Eliza Penick
Community Relations Coordinator - Pacific Northwest
206-547-5696
eliza.penick@heifer.org

Read to Feed in Bellevue

2008-07-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

Check out what local volunteer Tina Freed inspired a Bellevue school to do!
Lake Hills Elementary.

Come see us at the Green Festival!

2008-04-11T21:06:00.001-07:00

Saturday, April 12th, 10am to 8pm
Sunday, April 13th, 11am to 6pm
Washington State Convention & Trade Center

Portland Project

2008-04-08T11:49:00.001-07:00

A recent article about Zenger Farms, an urban agriculture project Heifer is supporting in Portland, Oregon.

Pot Luck Schedule

2008-03-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

Potluck Schedule 2008

March 30th at 3:00 Lisa Gallo's in Seattle
Arpil 27th at 3:00 Tina Freed's in Bellevue
May: Sunday May 11th at 3:00 Sophie Keller's in Seattle
June: Saturday June 21st Morning Maribeth Stein in Seattle
July: TBD Moonshadow Farm in Duvall
August: Thursday Aug 21st 6:30 Karen Donahue's
September: Monday Sep 15th Mary Kenney's in Edmonds
October: Sunday October 12th Jan Zuanich's in Everett
Nov: TBD
Dec: TBD

January Pot Luck Minutes

2008-02-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

We kicked off the new year with an energizing potluck. Before I get into the notes, we still need a host for February. There has been interest in the group to move the day of the week for potlucks around. So on Sunday, we talked about having the host help decide when the potluck will be held. So if you can host please let me know the month and what date and time you are thinking. March, April, and July all have hosts.

- We talked about what Heifer activities we have all been up to.

- We talked about the Gates Foundation grant to Heifer

- Isaak Egge was promoted to Director of Northwest Region

- Tina talked about her work with Read to Feed with Lake Hills Elementry School in Bellevue. Around 6000 books have been read and $1500 raised for Heifer so far. She described how challenging it is implementing this in schools with teachers being so busy. Tina suggests working with the librarians in a school.

- Tina showed a wonderful DVD that she produced describing Read to Feed. Great work Tina!

- Sunday was Tina's birthday and we celebrated with cake.

- Emily talked about how service project hours work at her school Holy Names and she has chosen to put hours towards Heifer.

- We talked about the Black Sheep Creamery clean-up

- We talked about upcoming events ( Hunger Banquet on September 20th, another Black Sheep Creamery clean-up, 2 by 2 Trek, Garage Sale, Kennedy High School event on 2/27

- We talked about representing Heifer at local Farmer's Markets this summer. So feel free to start contacting local Farmer's Markets and find out the details of us having Heifer booths. Meloday already has info on Renton's. If any of these tasks interest you, let me or Eliza know and we can give you more details.

If you are interest in potlucks, contact seattleheifer@gmail.com.

Heifer Volunteers Respond to Flooding

2007-12-19T11:46:00.000-08:00

After the Western Washington flooding, we learned of the horrific aftermath left for Brad & Meg Gregory of the Black Sheep Creamery in Chehalis, who had donated cheese just a few weeks prior to the Heifer/Betty LaDuke art reception. They got their start in keeping sheep years ago when Meg attended a Heifer International lambing week. The Black Sheep Creamery was just receiving national acclaim for their cheese & are one of the few Grade A certified small, local creameries in Washington State. After the flood, they returned to their farm to find 75% of their livestock dead, & their fields, barn, creamery, & the first floor of their house filled with almost a foot of mud. With the help of Gregory's friend, Gretchen, volunteer Carla organized a Heifer International work party. On December 8th, nine of us spent a Saturday working on the farm. We plan to return again to help the rebuilding efforts, in the hopes that a renewal generation of lambs can be born this spring at the Black Sheep Creamery.
Visit the creamery website here.

Heifer Art Exhibit

2007-11-13T11:13:00.001-08:00

Our Own Volunteers Pass on the Gift

2007-10-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

Seattle volunteer Power Couple, Erik & Carla Schneider are passing on the gift in a very special way & it's generating lots of exciting publicity for both Heifer International & the Heifer Foundation's Hope Equity fund. Their's is a wonderful example of searching to find how we as individuals can affect positive change & finding creative solutions to make it happen!
Read their story here.
And look for them on Friday, October 26th, at 5pm on King 5 news.

Shop On-line and Support Heifer

2007-09-24T04:50:00.000-07:00

Goodsearch.com has a new tool that allows you to shop with your favorite on-line store (target, best buy, hotels.com, etc) and Heifer gets money! Next time you want to purchase something on line goto goodsearch.com and select your store. Make sure you select Heifer as your organization!

September Potluck

2007-09-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

Come join us for a great time on the Wilson farm!!

When: Sunday, September 23rd
Time: 2pm
Place: Quiet Waters Farm in Monroe (see directions below)
Bring: a dish to share

Please RSVP to this email.

Quiet Waters Farm and Gretchen's Wool Mill
Rob and Gretchen Wilson
28014 120th St SE Monroe WA 98272
360-793-0962
rgpwilson@skyvalley.net
www.gretchenswoolmill.com

Drive to Monroe.

**If you are on Highway 2:
Follow Highway 2 east, through Monroe, to the last stoplight in town. There is an Albertsons on the left.
Turn left onto Old Owen Rd.

**If you are on Hiway 203 from Duvall:
Turn right at the first stoplight onto Main. Go through the next stoplight, across Highway 2, and Main becomes Old Owen Rd.

Follow Old Owen Rd. for 5.5 miles to Woods Lake Rd on the left.
Turn left onto Woods Lake Rd and follow it for 2 miles to 120th ST SE on the left. This is a narrow, dirt, private road.
Turn Left onto 120th St SE. and follow it to its end, about 1/2 mile.

We are on the left at the end. There is a sign, white board fences and a red shop.

Total

2007-08-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

Drumroll please..............

Heifer bike ride the Two by Two Trek has raised $6,070!!

Way to go to Nicole, the ride-coordinator, & to all the riders!

August Heifer Potluck

2007-08-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

You don't want to miss this one!! It's at volunteer Sharon's farm!

When: Sunday, August 26th

Time: 1pm

Where: Moonshadow Farm in Duvall

Food: bring a dish to share

Please either email me or leave a comment here if you would like directions.

Hope to see you there!

Heifer Theatre Project

2007-07-26T14:31:00.000-07:00

Our very own Lisa Gallo is currently in Little Rock, Arkansas, employed by Heifer as a summer staff member for Heifer's Theatre Project for high schoolers (formerly Llama Drama).

See what she's up to here: www.heifertheatreproject.blogspot.com

Update on the Two by Two Trek...

2007-07-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

The Heifer bike ride has now surpassed its goal of raising an Ark!!

The current total is $5,060 & still climbing!

Way to go Nicole & all the riders!

The Huge Garage Sale

2007-07-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

The Heifer Garage Sale was a great success!!
We had an overwhelming response to our call for donated items & were working late into the night on Friday to get everything sorted & priced for our 9am opening on Saturday. Two great things came out of this sale: over $1,600 raised that will provide animals & a new life to struggling families, & the incredible community building that it provided to our volunteer group & the neighborhood. We made sure that each customer knew where their money was going--who knows what impact that awareness will have down the road.
Thanks to everyone who pitched in & especially big thanks to Carla, for dreaming up the whole thing, & to Maribeth & Sandy for hosting it!

Lisa & Dingo setting up the night before the sale.
My pant leg during set-up.
We're open!
Lars--our Heifer kid.
A few girls down the street had done Read to Feed at their school & came out to sell lemonade & help us raise more money.
Erik manned the cashier table for the entire day!
Maribeth.
Carla & Lars in the "toy section."
Carla & me.
The power house Heifer volunteer couple!
Barbara staying cool.

Two by Two Trek

2007-07-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the Two by Two Trek, the first annual Heifer bike ride put together by local high schooler, Nicole. 24 riders registered & gathered a minimum of three pledges each from sponsors, all to support Heifer's work. Nicole herself has over $500 in pledges & her brother Zach went door-to-door in their neighborhood & raised $180! Nicole's goal is to raise an Ark--watch for the total to be posted here soon.

The ride was 22-miles of the Cenntenial Trail in Snohomish & a great time was had by all. We've got big plans for expanding the ride next summer, so let your family & friends know!

Holding Nicole's bike while she fields phone calls.

Each rider had a personalized bib.

Helpers at the registration table.

Volunteers Gerrit & Barbara joined in the fun.

Pinning on the bibs.

Bike mechanics on hand, Mike & Levi.

Heifer volunteers Erik & Lars came out to support.

This is just one group of riders heading out.

And they're off!

Heifer Garage Sale

2007-07-02T11:01:00.000-07:00

One person's junk is another person's treasure

is another person's way out of poverty.

Come join us for the huge Heifer Garage Sale!

There's three ways to help:

-DONATE YOUR QUALITY ITEMS

-BAKE SOMETHING TO SELL

-COME SHOP!

All proceeds will go directly to Heifer International.

Saturday, July 14th

13014 - 7th Ave. NW

(Seattle's Broadview neighborhood)

9am-3pm

Contact Carla for details:

carla.schneider@comcast.net

Save the Date!!

2007-06-26T18:58:00.000-07:00

Interested in learning more about Heifer International?

Want to volunteer but not sure how to start?

Join us this fall for a

HEIFER INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER TRAINING EVENT!

Saturday, September 29th

9am-1pm

Lunch will be provided.

Location & details to follow.