Students in Melissa Waldroup’s fourth-grade class at Lamar Elementary have been using their reading skills by participating in the Read to Feed program through Heifer International.  

The class began in August and set a goal to raise $120 to purchase a goat for a family in need. The program encourages students to practice literacy skills while helping provide livestock to struggling families around the world.  Money raised through the program is used to purchase such necessities as livestock, tree seedlings, irrigation pumps and schooling. 

To date, the class has raised $450, and six families will be blessed!  The class was able to purchase a goat, water pump, pig, 2 flocks of chickens and 1 flock of ducks/geese.

Each student received a pledge envelope and were challenged to ask family and friends to make a donation for every book read.

Student Jackson Morgan really took the project to heart.  He loves reading and has read over 25 books and was able to contribute over $300 toward their goal. 

“I was excited to reach my goal,” said Jackson. “And it’s really cool to know we are helping others, too.”

Mrs. Waldroup said she is very proud of how Jackson and the other students worked toward their goal.  

“I wanted my students to understand that we can make an impact by doing something as simple as reading!” she said. “I will definitely do this again with my students next year.”

Heifer International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth.  Gifts of livestock and training help lift families from poverty to self-reliance.