Buy a Goat, Help Heal a Hurting World

54775750042184df0613958fd78cfa0f

When planning their Lenten campaign, the parishioners of Holy Spirit, Gulf Shores, AL, felt the parish would engage best if they focused on raising funds to donate an item from the GiftsforLife catalogue. The parishioners liked the fact that the GiftsforLife catalogue offers a variety of gifts that can be donated and that provide a powerful way to put one’s faith into action, and make an impact that alleviates poverty and hunger worldwide.

The people of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church chose to raise funds to donate goats, because of the reasonable cost per goat, their environmentally friendly characteristics and their long-term impact on improving lives and alleviating hunger.  Not to mention, they thought the goats were pretty cute.

Millie Ericson, Episcopal Relief & Development’s Parish Coordinator said, “We created a display board and ‘Goat Chart’ to provide information and mark our progress. We challenged all the groups and organizations in the parish to buy a goat and we encouraged individual purchases as well.”

The response was overwhelming. The original goal was to raise enough to donate ten goats to Episcopal Relief & Development.  However, the Lenten campaign ended with stunning results. Through the generosity of the parish, a total of over $2,900 was raised, making it possible for thirty-seven goats to be given in the name of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church.

These 37 Gifts for Life will continue to give for years to come as they grow and multiply, producing milk and cheese to help feed the hungry of the world. These goats will allow families in the poorest parts of our world to develop a steady source of income as they grow their herd, starting with one of the goats Holy Spirit has gifted.

850f0bf520b1c68707d66208a1c59a47

 


The gateway to global citizenship starts with awareness and compassion. This fall your parish, school or group can use the Gifts For Life to start the journey by raising money for Episcopal Relief & Development.

1928aa88e4a0dd0e92ae16752f2dff54