un-paid advertisement...

... for a non-profit organization that seems to do a world of good. Over the years, I have supported them with donations to help provide livestock in third world countries, gifting my family members. Providing the funding to give animals they did not have to personally feed, groom, house, clean up after because the ducks, chickens, bees, sheep would be given to people we don't know. The young animals (I assume the smaller they are the easier they would be to get delivered?) given to anonymous families in need of improving their lives, nutrition of their families, income-producing livestock. The premise being that the family would care for the animals, eventually passing along off spring to others in their community to provide neighbors with opportunities equal to the ones the original owners received. A 'pay it forward' sort of agreement.

A card came in the mail yesterday from Heifer International, from friends who live in north Florida. People who care deeply about the less fortunate, and choose to make donations in a desire to make a difference in lives of communities they will never see. We have received similar cards over the years, with indications of various animals sent to struggling families in countries all over the world - any place the Heifer organization impacts lives by training and supporting families who are willing to commit to the maintenance of their/my 'gift'.

The wording inside the card:
"This gift to Heifer International, made in your honor, is already waddling, strutting or trotting it's way into the lives of a struggling farming family. Gifts like yours are helping people around the world lift themselves into self-reliance. It's nutrition. It's income. It's hope. And that won't fit in a box."

I got a flock of chicks. I do not have to provide housing, food, water, care.  I know that someone else is getting the benefit of eggs to support nutritious meals for their family, plus extras to sell, and an occasional bird to go in the cook pot for Sunday dinner. I expect there is a annoying rooster in there as well, to fertilize a few eggs that will hatch and bring another generation of chicks into the community for these people to share their good fortune. Thanks, D and G!