Got $5? Bethel United Methodist Church Launches New Fundraiser to Benefit Heifer International.

Bethel United Methodist Church(www.bethelmethodist.net) is raising money for the reconstruction of Haiti after massive destruction by two recent natural disasters.  For the first time, this church’s 25 year plus fundraising ambitions will take on a “hi-tech” focus as the organization combines social media with a nationwide electronic fundraising campaign.

“We hope to reach at least 400 people who are willing to donate a minimum of $5 to the campaign”, stated Lori Mott, Co-Chair of the campaign.  “Just the cost of a cup of coffee at Starbucks will go a long way to help Haiti recover.  Our donation website at www.gofundme.com/HeiferBUMC is set up and ready to accept funds.”

For over 25 years, Bethel United Methodist Church (BUMC) has participated in Heifer International’s (www.heifer.org) mission to end hunger by raising funds to purchase farm animals to send to poor areas worldwide. This small New England church near Newtown, Connecticut, with approximately 150 active members, has decided in 2013 to focus on Heifer International’s REACH project: Rural Entrepreneurs for Agricultural Cooperation in Haiti.  The project aims to work with farming families, aid organizations, producers, municipalities, public-private sector partnerships and others to rehabilitate and strengthen the crop- and livestock-based livelihoods in Haiti destroyed by natural disasters.  REACH will build up four livestock sub-sectors (goats, cattle, poultry and pigs) using integrated farming to improve production and strengthen linkages with buyers.

Heifer's REACH project will help more than 100,000 people overall – the largest animal project of its kind in Haiti's history.  BUMC has created a fundraising campaign using Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, combined with an online donation portal, to take its collections from the local level to a national level to raise as much money as possible to help reconstruct the agricultural infrastructure of Haiti.

During April and May 2013, BUMC seeks to raise at least $2,000 for REACH.  To make a donation (minimum $5), please visit the group’s donation page at http://www.gofundme.com/HeiferBUMC. 

For more information on the REACH Project, please visit Heifer International at www.heifer.org.