Alpha Kappa Alpha selects Heifer as a charity partner

LITTLE ROCK, AR (Aug. 4, 2010) – Heifer International announced today that is has been selected as one of its charities of choice by Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the first Greek-lettered sorority established and incorporated by African American college women.

"Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.'s, partnership with Heifer International is a significant milestone in our history of service to the global community," said Carolyn House Stewart, who in July was sworn in as the sorority's 28th international president, and will serve from 2010-2014. "This partnership is consistent with our mission and the vision of this administration to eliminate world hunger and poverty."

During the four-year partnership, AKA will encourage its members to support and be involved with the work of Heifer, which uses gifts of livestock, seeds, trees and training to help families in need break free from the cycles of hunger and poverty. Members—260,000 strong in the United States, Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Canada, Japan, Germany, Korea and on the continent of Africa—will help raise awareness of and funds for the work of Heifer.

Specifically, members will be encouraged to engage students in schools with Heifer, using lesson plans and programs, such as Read to Feed®, which blends students' love for reading with fundraising, to early on establish a sense for service.

Members will also be encouraged to participate in a Heifer study, where they travel to visit a Heifer project somewhere in the world and experience, firsthand, the families, the work and the transformation that takes place when people are personally invested in their own progress and success. Funds raised by sorority members will be used to help further Heifer projects in Ecuador and Kenya.

The work especially appeals to Stewart, whose administration is driven by the theme, "Global Leadership Through Timeless Service." Stewart said she was particularly inspired by Heifer's commitment to helping women, who are responsible for about 80 percent of the world's food production, but who own only about one percent of the land.

"Heifer, and particularly its WiLD (Women in Livestock Development) program—helps women all over the world become self-reliant. This program includes more than providing livestock and training for families; its components include education and economic security for women and allow families to build a better standard of living so they can rise out of poverty," said Stewart.

"I am so grateful to AKA for making Heifer one of your partners in service," said Charles O. Stewart (no relation), interim CEO of Heifer International. "Your mission is to serve all mankind. Ours is to work with communities to end huger and poverty and care for the Earth. When these two powerful ideas are combined, the effect is electrifying.

"With your involvement, I look forward to making sparks fly."

Other AKA charities of choice are the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, National Institutes of Health and American Kidney Fund.

About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) is an international service organization that was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African-American college-educated women. Alpha Kappa Alpha is comprised of a nucleus of 260,000 members in graduate and undergraduate chapters in the United States, the U. S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, Canada, Japan, Germany, Korea and on the continent of Africa. Its membership is comprised of distinguished women who boast excellent academic records, proven leadership skills, and are involved in the global community through advocacy and service. Alpha Kappa Alpha has dedicated itself to improving the quality of life for citizens worldwide and promoting peace. Since its founding 102 years ago, Alpha Kappa Alpha's mission has been Service to All Mankind. Attorney Carolyn House Stewart, the 28th International President, will serve from 2010-2014. Her administration's theme is, "Global Leadership Through Timeless Service."

About Heifer International Heifer's mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in 50 countries, including the U.S., to help families and communities become more self-reliant.

For more information call (800) 696-1918.