If making an hour car ride out to middle-of-nowhere Rutland, MA, spending your Sunday outside on a farm in the 30 degree weather for 6 hours with whipping winds from the mountains turning your snot into icicles, making your eyes water, and drying what little moisture you may have had out of your skin doesn’t sound like a good time, then you’ve clearly never been to Heifer International events. This was my third time at one of the Heifer events, yet each and every time I learn new things and am easily reminded of how fun it is to escape life in Townsend for a while. The traditional and bare to the bone basic way of living and conducting at Heifer is a breath of fresh air (quite literally) and reminds me that, like all things magnificent, it is very simple. The simplicity is something I look forward to each time, as well as the staff and volunteers there, whom are greatly appreciative of us volunteering for the event and are always so kind and friendly. While Tim and I spent the majority of our day at the small fire teaching children how to roast chestnuts and marshmallows, others worked at directing the event parking, decorating gingerbread cookies, monitoring the petting area of the guinea pigs, photographing Sally the goat, and walking around the barn with all the animals. Although I recollect that last year’s living gift market had a larger turnout in visitors, all in all, it was such a fun day and I can’t wait to go back.
If any readers are interested, the link to the giving catalog can be found below. Purchase animals from Heifer this holiday season to be shipped to a family in need!
-Dominique
For my first venture out to Rutland, I was happily surprised at what the Heifer farm was like. I was deeply amazed at how Heifer operates as a self sustainable farm and their mission to help spread sustainability throughout the world. I regret how I never volunteered to make my way out there, to be a part of it all and the different people that spend their time there, to help with Heifer’s goal. Frankly, our part in the organization on Sunday was small, but it was a fun time and it was an exciting experience to be part of it. Dominique and I spent most of our time helping out at a fire pit that the volunteers had set up, roasting marshmallows and chestnuts. While at the fire, we had delightful conversation with all of the visitors that came by, families and children of all ages, who wanted to have a snack or just to get a little bit warmer. Even with the not so favorable weather conditions, I was surprised that a lot of people made their way out to the farm to enjoy the area and the animals, but mostly to enjoy spending time with each other, friends and family alike.
-Tim
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