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News from the College of Veterinary Medicine University of Illinois 3225 Vet. Med. Basic Sciences Bldg. 2001 S. Lincoln Ave. Urbana, IL 61802 |
April 23, 2009 Release on |
| Contact: |
Chris Beuoy 217/244-1562 beuoy@illinois.edu |
Veterinary Students Raise $5,000 for Heifer International
URBANA - Today University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine students will present charitable organization Heifer International with a $5,000 donation. Students raised the funds by holding about a dozen individual fundraisers, including a pet sitting program, Euchre tournaments, a breakfast for lunch event, charity raffles and more.Heifer International is a non-profit organization that strives to end hunger and poverty by providing livestock, proper training, and related services to small-scale farmers and communities worldwide. The contribution made by University of Illinois veterinary students comes as a part of the Heifer Gift Ark campaign. A $5,000 gift to this campaign - which Heifer refers to as an "Ark" - is used for the purchase and distribution of 15 pairs of livestock animals to needy families. Each family who receives livestock from Heifer will pass on one or more of the animal's offspring to other families in their community, making the Heifer Ark the gift that keeps on giving. One Ark can improve the lives of 15 entire communities across the globe.
"There are so many people in the world that have no food, no chance for education, no real prospects in life. In some parts of the world, having animals means having a source of income and a way to feed your family and a door to education. Heifer is a program that does all of these things through education and assistance," said second-year veterinary student Kate Parent, who led the fund-raising efforts.
The College of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 28 veterinary schools in the United States and the only institution in Illinois that offers the four-year program leading to a doctor of veterinary medicine degree.