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About The Big Moo Canoe
The Big Moo Canoe is a multi-year effort to raise awareness and donations for Heifer International's REACH program — the largest animal project of its kind in Haiti's history, please join us.
In its sixth year, Rob Bean, Chief Paddling Officer, plans to take the project in a whole new direction by helping to raise awareness and donations for Heifer's (R.E.A.C.H.) project, Rural Entrepreneurs for Agricultural Cooperation in Haiti. R.E.A.C.H. is the largest animal project of its kind in Haiti's history and Heifer has committed $18.7 million towards the 5-year effort.
The 2012 Big Moo Canoe events include; a 2-River, 166 mile, ultra-marathon paddle down the Green River and back upstream on the Colorado River, and a fun canoeing day for families in Northern Colorado. Rob plans to join with other like-minded paddlers to raise donations while spreading awareness as they paddle through the desert in April 2012.
A brief history
The Big Moo Canoe was originally developed in 2007 by Rob Bean of Fort Collins, CO. Through his efforts in developing endurance paddling challenges, coordinating teams, and speaking with groups, Rob discovered many more people wanted to "get on board," so he vowed to help them get started. Since that first paddle stroke in Wyoming until now, the Big Moo Canoe has grown tremendously, and we hope to inspire people all over the country to develop their own versions of the Big Moo Canoe. Please help Rob as he mixes his passion for ultra-marathon canoe racing with his dedication to spreading the word about Heifer International. Get involved today and spread the "mooos!"
2011-2012:
- Alternative giving fairs - Rob, Megan, and Lucas helped to share Heifer's "Pass on the Gift" story through their participation in the annual fairs and by selling holiday honor cards to attendees.
- The Heifer Children's Challenge - A six-week sunday school challenge at First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins, CO.
- High Altitude for Haiti - A climb to the top of two peaks in Colorado (Grays and Torreys).
- 2-River Challenge - Green River, UT to Moab, UT (Late April or early May 2012)
2009-2010:
- The Heifer Children's Challenge - A six-week sunday school challenge for 120 young adults at First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins, CO. The program was designed specifically around the needs of children and introduced them to Heifer International. Each week focused on a different Heifer ideal and helped kids understand how they could actively help other children around the globe. They reached their $250 goal to buy an animal for a Heifer family. We have heard some great stories of kids washing dogs, cleaning house, working in the yard, and being very industrious in their efforts to make their goal a reality.
- The Fort Collins Big Moo Canoe Day and Food Bank for Larimer County - A family focused fun day on the lake at Swift Ponds fishing, canoeing, and relaxing with about 90 in attendance. We raised an additional $1,200 in donations and 300 pounds of food for the Larimer County Food Bank.
- The Missouri River 340 - Rob Bean, along with his seven member "Team Heifer," completed the "Big Moo Canoe Challenge" by paddling their canoes and kayaks 340 miles from Kansas City to St. Charles, Missouri. The team participated in the fifth annual Missouri River 340 (MR340), the longest non-stop canoe and kayak race in the United States, to raise donations and awareness for Heifer International. The team's effort has raised in excess of $11,000, bringing the three-year project total to more than $18,000; purchasing more than 300 animals for families in need. For Bean, the effort was completed after paddling 57 hours and 19 minutes to place 21st in his division. Other team members placed in the top 20, and all but one completed the entire course in the allotted time.
- Alternative giving fairs - Rob, Megan, and Lucas helped to share Heifer's "Pass on the Gift" story through their participation in the annual fairs and by selling holiday honor cards to attendees.
2007-2008:
- The North Platte Challenge - A 250 mile, three-day, ultra-marathon canoe challenge along a beautiful stretch of the North Platte River in Wyoming with a goal of raising $5,000 for Heifer International. The effort was a huge success and raised donations of over $8,000 from individuals and companies in 15 states.
- The Fort Collins Big Moo Canoe Day - A family focused fun day on the lake at Swift Ponds fishing, canoeing, and relaxing with about 40 in attendance. Everyone got a chance to try out a kayak or canoe and learned a bit more about Heifer International.
- Alternative giving fairs - Rob, Megan, and Lucas helped to share Heifer's "Pass on the Gift" story through their participation in the annual fairs and by selling holiday honor cards to attendees.
The Big Moo Canoe is a volunteer-driven project, officially sanctioned by Heifer International.
Rob Bean: Chief Paddling Officer
Rob is an ordinary, outdoorsy kind of guy who loves paddling and helping others. He lives in Fort Collins with his wife, Tracey, and two wonderful children, Megan and Lucas. He’s originally from Ohio, where his passion for paddling took hold as a teenager. And you name it – canoeing, kayaking, sailing, rafting, water skiing – Rob was doing it. Even during the winter months.
During the day, Rob is the interactive director at Burns Marketing Communications (www.burnsmarketing.com). And when he’s not working or spending time with his family, he’s training for The Big Moo Canoe.

About the canoe
Make: Sawyer, Loon
Length: 18’ with rudder
Weight: 45 lbs
Construction: Fiberglass
Characteristics:
- Cross boat (part canoe, part kayak)
- Fast but stable
- Low to the water but with tons of storage for solo tripping
- Very comfortable for long river trips
Click on an image below to get the high-res version.
Please be sure to include the specific photo credit if you use these in published materials. |
About the photography
The images below have been graciously provided by Randy Pfizenmaier of FuseBox Studio.
FUSEBOX studio is a commercial advertising photography studio based in Fort Collins Colorado. They create dynamic photographic illustrations in a variety of disciplines producing projects in studio and on location locally, nationally and internationally for clients large and small. They have passion for what they do and welcome the opportunity to help solve challenging image needs with both quality and consistency on every assignment.
FUSEBOX Studio
Randy Pfizenmaier
PO Box 401
Fort Collins CO, 80522
(970) 690-1748
randy@fuseboxstudio.com
www.fuseboxstudio.com
Studio: 345 East Mountain Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
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Canoe images (Randy has provided approval for these images to be reprinted, please click an image below to download the large press ready version of the file.)

Image courtesy of FuseBox Studio |

Image courtesy of FuseBox Studio |

Image courtesy of FuseBox Studio |

Image courtesy of FuseBox Studio |

Image courtesy of FuseBox Studio |

Image courtesy of FuseBox Studio |
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