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November 11, 2007

The gift of animals

Market emphasizes livestock as important commodity worldwide

Misty Watson

It was feeding time and the few-week-old calf was letting 9-year-old Melissa Perdomo know by sucking on her finger as it would a bottle.

With the help of Dalton veterinarian Chris Stearns, Melissa let the calf suck her finger a few minutes before withdrawing it. Melissa then made a face that let everyone watching know that she was grossed out by what had just happened on Sunday afternoon at the Dalton Green.

After teasing the calf with fingers, Stearns retrieved a bottle of milk and allowed children at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church’s Living Gift Market take turns feeding the calf.

This was the third year the church hosted the market, which raises funds for Heifer International, an organization that provides impoverished families worldwide with livestock to raise for profit and food. The market was also hosted by Dalton State College’s Social Work Club.

Llamas, rabbits, sheep, a goat, a pig, a chicken and a duck were also on hand at the market to allow children and adults to interact with the types of animals they could purchase to be sent to families in need.

“We want the community to give. We want them to understand how important animals are to underdeveloped countries,” said Nancy Taylor of Rocky Face when asked why she brought her two sheep, Star and Twinkle.

“We want people to see our animals up close,” her husband Clyde added.

As children gathered around the two ewes, the Taylors explained the thick wool would keep anyone warm when used as a sweater or a coat.

Ken Ellinger, a political science professor at Dalton State College, brought his children, Elyssa, 8, and Evan, 9, to learn about the animals and “to support the cause.”

“I wanted to make a contribution,” Ellinger said. “I first heard of Heifer International on (the television show) ‘West Wing.’ They did a show on it so the first time I heard about it was back around 2000.”

In addition to interacting with the animals, participants could take part in a craft sale with items from Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade organization with crafts from around the world. Necklaces, bracelets, pottery and baskets lined tables so people could get an early start on some Christmas shopping.

The church became involved in Heifer International several years ago after the youth group visited a heifer ranch in Arkansas for a mission trip, said the Rev. Elizabeth Roles of St. Mark’s.

“When they got back, they wanted to do something to support the organization,” she said. “I was so impressed with the work Heifer does, and the educational program they did with our kids was outstanding. I felt good giving money to that organization.”

Last year when a church group returned to the ranch, there was a Ten Thousand Villages booth, prompting interest in that organization as well, Roles said.

People wishing to donate to Heifer International who were not able to attend Sunday’s market can contact the church at (706) 278-8857.

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