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Charity Logo

Charity of the Month

CHARITY OF THE MONTH - HEIFER INTERNATIONAL

In December I am riding for Heifer International. Founded in 1944, Heifer International works with communities around the world to end hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth. Its approach is more than a handout. Heifer provides animals (e.g., heifers, goats, water buffalos, chickens, rabbits, fish, and bees) and training to impoverished people in over 30 countries. The animals can give milk, meat, or eggs; provide draft power; or form the basis of a small business. Communities make their own decisions about what crops, animals, and market strategies make sense for their everyday conditions and experiences.

Heifer International is based on 12 Cornerstones, such as Sustainability; Genuine Need and Justice; and Gender and Family Focus. Perhaps the best known Cornerstone is Passing on the Gift, in which Heifer recipient families pass on the offspring of their animals to others in need. In this way, whole communities can raise their standard of living.

A donation to Heifer International also can make a wonderful alternative holiday gift. Instead of yet another sweater for Grandma that she really doesn’t need, why not donate a Heifer animal or a share of an animal in her honor? Does your child really need so many new toys? Instead of five new toys, give him/her three new toys and a Heifer flock of chicks. Heifer has honor cards to let your loved ones know of your gift on their behalf.

I have set up a Team Heifer page to support Heifer International through A Year of Centuries. My goal is to raise $500. Please make your donation through https://teamheifer.heifer.org/AYearofCenturies. If you would like more information about Heifer’s work, please visit www.heifer.org. Whether you give to honor a loved one or make a regular donation, thank you for taking steps to transform the world for the better.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving


Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  Well, my favorite official holiday – Groundhog Day and International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Arrrr!) rank pretty high, too.  Anyway, even though this hasn’t been the easiest year, I have more than ever to be thankful for.  In addition to my ongoing blessings (Robert, dogs, chickens, bees, home, work, cycling, wine, books, etc.), I am so, so grateful to be feeling, functioning, and looking as well as I do after my crash.

Today I want to send a special thank you to all my cycling friends.  Robert and I have been riding in Macon for about 10 years.  It’s been wonderful to see the cycling community grow.  When we first started doing group rides, there were maybe a dozen people.  Now it’s common to see close to 50 people at Tuesday/Thursday Worlds.  Some of us ride for competition, some of us ride for fitness, some of us ride for recreation, and some of us ride to keep from blowing a gasket (or a combination of these reasons).  We’re a rather motley crew of roadies and mountain bikers, professionals and tradespeople, and college students and retirees.  We may not all agree philosophically or politically, but the important thing is that we get out and enjoy riding together, always looking out for one another.  To all my riding buddies, I really appreciate your friendship over the years and your support and encouragement in these recent difficult months.  Wishing you and your families the happiest Thanksgiving!
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