Before Jimmy surprised us, I was very involved with Heifer International. I still think it is the most sensible approach to ending hunger I've seen. August 5, a benefit international dinner will be held at Iona Highschool in Iona from 5-7. The food will truly come from everywhere--Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Middle East, China, Italy, Mexico, Ethiopia, Korea and more. Cost will be a donation and all the proceeds will go to Heifer.
It's a fun night for a great cause.
Showing posts with label heifer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heifer. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happily Weary
I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I'm pregnant and I've been working very hard on the annual Heifer International Living Gift Market. Those things combined with my regular gig as a homeschooling mom of five mean I haven't had energy to post my musings. However all the hardwork paid off, for the full story check out the Heifer Happening Blog. We raised 6,680 dollars and had a good time doing it.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Telemarketing
I've been working publicity for the local Heifer International Living Gift Market. Overall, it's been a very rewarding experience. We've raised 700 dollars so far, and the event doesn't take place until October. Putting together a press kit to send to local media outlets was a fascinating learning experience, and we have at least one magazine working on an article about our event. But the most interesting job I've taken on so far has been telemarketing the event to area churches.
It sounded so simple at first. The Change for Kids Challenge is such a high-quality experience for families and children, that I was sure all I needed to do was get the word out. Turns out, it's not that easy. I'm gradually finding a phone script that gets a yes to more information more than it gets a no. It only took me about 200 calls to get it right.
My current challenge is figuring out how to improve the response rate once I get the information in the hands of the churches. At the moment my total call back success rate stands at one, and they were angry with Heifer. The good news is that I was able to help them move closer to their very noble goal of helping a village in Mexico by improving their connection with Heifer. No one has signed up for the Change for Kids Challenge because of my efforts.
I'm going to keep at it though. I'm learning the ins and outs of publicity from the ground up, and that's got to pay off somewhere in my life, somehow. Feeding the hungry is worth doing a little tough grunt work.
It sounded so simple at first. The Change for Kids Challenge is such a high-quality experience for families and children, that I was sure all I needed to do was get the word out. Turns out, it's not that easy. I'm gradually finding a phone script that gets a yes to more information more than it gets a no. It only took me about 200 calls to get it right.
My current challenge is figuring out how to improve the response rate once I get the information in the hands of the churches. At the moment my total call back success rate stands at one, and they were angry with Heifer. The good news is that I was able to help them move closer to their very noble goal of helping a village in Mexico by improving their connection with Heifer. No one has signed up for the Change for Kids Challenge because of my efforts.
I'm going to keep at it though. I'm learning the ins and outs of publicity from the ground up, and that's got to pay off somewhere in my life, somehow. Feeding the hungry is worth doing a little tough grunt work.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Chocolate to the Rescue
Lately I've been having deadlines to meet. This is not my favorite way to work as a writer. I like to have all the time in the world to get something right, however, deadlines to force me to focus on tasks I don't enjoy.
My most recent deadline is self-imposed. As part of my volunteer efforts for Heifer Happening Grand Rapids, I set myself the task of creating their first ever press kit. I wanted to get it out to the area's magazines by the end of July so that I have a prayer of getting into the October issue when our event will be taking place. To that end I've been gathering information and materials and writing, writing, writing.
The last piece of the puzzle was a ready-to-print article to include in the kit, so that editors can just slap my article in their publication and be done with it. I was having a horrible time moving from informational writing to journalistic writing. My hooks were awful, and I couldn't seem to wade through all the mountain of material I'd amassed and get to the heart of it. Finally, I packed up my computer and headed out to the local bookstore where I do my fiction writing. Settling in with hot tea, I wasted several sheets of paper getting nowhere. I had to do something, so I bought a chocolate cupcake. "Aaaah!" The light shown from heaven and suddenly it was all so easy. I have noticed this side-effect of chocolate in the past, but it really is amazing how reliable that particular addiction is. Thank God for chocolate, the deadline's worst nightmare.
My most recent deadline is self-imposed. As part of my volunteer efforts for Heifer Happening Grand Rapids, I set myself the task of creating their first ever press kit. I wanted to get it out to the area's magazines by the end of July so that I have a prayer of getting into the October issue when our event will be taking place. To that end I've been gathering information and materials and writing, writing, writing.
The last piece of the puzzle was a ready-to-print article to include in the kit, so that editors can just slap my article in their publication and be done with it. I was having a horrible time moving from informational writing to journalistic writing. My hooks were awful, and I couldn't seem to wade through all the mountain of material I'd amassed and get to the heart of it. Finally, I packed up my computer and headed out to the local bookstore where I do my fiction writing. Settling in with hot tea, I wasted several sheets of paper getting nowhere. I had to do something, so I bought a chocolate cupcake. "Aaaah!" The light shown from heaven and suddenly it was all so easy. I have noticed this side-effect of chocolate in the past, but it really is amazing how reliable that particular addiction is. Thank God for chocolate, the deadline's worst nightmare.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Phew!
Saving the world is serious business. I realize my blog has been suffering some neglect. I've been busy developing communication/publicity tools for Heifer Happening. I'm really enjoying myself, but I haven't had time to think up articles for this blog. I've got a new character I want to introduce for TV School fans, but I don't have time to write it yet.
School will be over soon, and that ought to free up some spare time.
School will be over soon, and that ought to free up some spare time.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
My other blog
I've begun a second blog, Heifer Happening Grand Rapids, to publicize the Grand Rapids area Living Gift Market. The Living Gift Market encourages alternative giving to help the developing world by "selling" animals that will be placed with struggling families on five continents through Heifer International. The market isn't unique to Grand Rapids. Heifer volunteers all over the country organize fund raising events of one kind or another. If you live in the area, check us out. You might find the perfect gift for the person who has everything. I can pretty much guarantee they don't have a water buffalo.
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