|
"THE BIG MOO CANOE" - Taking a hard line to fight poverty in Haiti
Local Ultra-Marathon Paddler Leads Multiple Efforts to Benefit Heifer International
 Fort Collins, Colo. (April 11, 2012) - From May 2-6, 2012, local canoe enthusiast Rob Bean, Chief Paddling Officer of the Big Moo Canoe for Heifer International, will attempt one of their hardest paddling challenges since the projects inception in 2007. Bean and teammate Marek Uliasz will paddle 120-miles down the Green River and back "upstream" over 46 miles on the Colorado River, ending near Moab, Utah. Rob uses his outdoor challenges to open up a dialog with the public about global poverty issues and to share his passion and support for the Heifer International, an organization focused on ending hunger and poverty through gifts of livestock and sustainable farming practices.
In its sixth year, the project has moved into a new phase and their efforts will support 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. Heifer's pragmatic approach to global economic development has brought ten million families out of poverty since 1944, and the model being implemented in Haiti has been proven effective in similar projects in Africa.
"Families in Haiti were struggling before the 2010 earthquake, but since that devastating blow, it's more important than ever that significant programs focused on economic development take root, not just emergency aid." stated Bean. "The people of Haiti are creative and resilient, and just need the tools and education to break their dependence on foreign aid and thrive through their own efforts. Heifer International knows how to support communities in these types of endeavors and has a track record of successful projects all around the world."
Along with the main "Moo Canoe" challenge in May, other events and activities are planned to raise awareness for Heifer throughout 2012. Bean has organized a 6-week children's challenge to introduce over 100 school-aged kids to Heifer ideals. In July, Rob's 11-year old daughter Megan will climb Grays and Torrey's Peaks in support of her challenge called "High Altitude for Haiti". Rob also participates in a variety of alternative giving fairs and is available to speak about Heifer and his adventures.
"It's important to me that our project include opportunities for others to get involved in the effort, that way the deeper message takes root. The kids I am working with are so excited to be helping raise donations to collectively buy a Heifer for a family in Haiti. They have learned that a single cow can produce over 4 gallons of milk per day - enough for a family to drink, share with neighbors, and sell excess into local markets. Milk adds needed protein to a families diet while supplementing the families income to improve their lives." said Bean.
The team hopes to raise more than $5,000 by the end of the summer. To date, more than $24,000 in donations has been collected. People can support The Big Moo Canoe by visiting www.moocanoe.com where they can make a donation directly to Heifer International through the secure website. Also follow all of the action on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BigMooCanoe.
Organizers are encouraging local companies to sponsor this event. Current corporate sponsors include Burns Marketing Communications, First United Methodist Church in Fort Collins, FUSEBOX Studio, OtterBox Inc., PCS Wireless, and Paddling.net.Â
About The Big Moo Canoe
Fort Collins, Colo., resident Rob Bean started "The Big Moo Canoe for Heifer International" as a way to involve his passion for ultra-marathon canoeing and to benefit Heifer International. Bean has paddled over a thousand miles in challenges staged in Wyoming, Missouri, and Utah since 2007 in support of his cause. From May 2 to 6, 2012, Rob will paddle 120 miles downstream on the Green River and then 46-miles upstream on the Colorado River to raise awareness and financial support for Heifer International. For more information, contact Rob Been at (970) 214-3414, via e-mail at robb@burnsmarketing.com, or by visiting www.moocanoe.com. Press images are available at: http://moocanoe.com/about.cfm
About Heifer International
Founded in 1944, Heifer International is a humanitarian assistance organization that works to end world hunger and protect the earth. Through livestock, training and "passing on the gift," Heifer has helped ten million families in more than 125 countries improve their quality of life and move toward greater self-reliance. Heifer helps build strong communities because each project participant agrees to pass on the gift of animal offspring, training, or skills to another family in need. For more information, visit www.heifer.org or contact Frances Hale, Community Volunteer Coordinator at (714) 891-6500.
==== Press photos available below ====
Project videos
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
|
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 |
Untitled Document
|
