Local Kids Buy a Cow

For the last seven months, the children and youth of First United Methodist Church, Des Plaines, have been working industriously to buy a real cow and their sister congregation, Iglesia Nuevo Amanacer's children have been helping too. To be able to visualize this unique fund-raiser, a wooden cow was built by John Hardy. It showed 36 assigned "cuts" or "parts" that could be "purchased" to total the $500 needed to buy a whole cow through Heifer International.

Heifer International in turn gave the real cow to a struggling family in need far away. To respect their privacy and dignity, Heifer international does not give out the name of the recipient family. A most interesting "pass it on" stipulation is essentially that the family who receives the Heifer as a gift must pass on the first female offspring to another family in need. Animals, such as this heifer, provide people with both food and income, sustainable products such as milk or cheese provide food for the family and any excess can be traded or sold at a market.

The First UMC Sunday School children, their parents, and the entire congregation were all involved in the 'purchase of parts' for this fundraiser. You could buy some parts for as little as $5. The most popular part to purchase was the "udders". The wooden cow was displayed every Sunday so people could see what parts remained available for purchase. As each part was purchased, the cow part was decorated. Sunday school kids were always available to help decorate newly purchased parts for people who did not wish to decorate it themselves.

The certificate has recently been received from Heifer International acknowledging the achievement. Karen Boesche, Education Ministry leader says, " Kids really do love to help other kids and families." And it was obvious in their enthusiasm when the photo was taken with the complete cow.