RU raising cattle on behalf of your Grandkids for charity?

[Kathie in Thorp]

Our grandbabies are city kids -- I raised their Mama right (and she's totally good, a hard worker and a professional) but she is not a country girl. My youngest 2 of 4 GB's are ages 5 and 7 (the "littles"); the "bigs" are 15 and 18. Their college education costs are pretty well secured. I don't have to raise any beef to support their educations.

I'm bringing in a couple young heifers soon . . . . . Last year, for Christmas, all of our grandkids got something "small" for themselves, and foodbank donations for their local foodbank, that they delivered themselves. They got that figured out quick, and thought it a good idea.

So, I'm thinking about how to get the kids involved, in a "community" effort, by raising a calf each year from one of the heifers -- not as a gift to them, but their gift to the community. How would you approach that? They live 75 miles away, so they can't help with chores. Contribute allowance toward keeping the cow, with the calf to go to Foodbank? Or just have them put $ aside that would cover the cost of a finished steer and pay that directly to the food bank? Or ????? These kids already have the concept of helping their fellow man; and I'd like to further that, working with what we do out here in "no-malls land", but not quite sure how to get there, and also let them know we are willing to help with that endeavor, that beef doesn't grow on trees, that there's an amount of satisfaction that comes from raising food close to home, BUT they have to be a part of it . . . . ya-da, ya-da.

Ideas? I know this is sort of, a way-out-there idea, but . . . . What's your thoughts? :?:

 

[tsmaxx47]

ask the kids what their thoughts are...........maybe they have differing opinions

 

[TexasBred]

Kathy...sounds like you need a good "community organizer". :banana:

 

[CottageFarm]

Kathy...sounds like you need a good "community organizer". :banana:

:lol: Heck of an idea...
but.... then you would be paying for the cow, paying to raise the cow, paying the guy that tells you what kind of cow to raise (must be a minority or multicultural cow), and, of course, he'll tell you exactly how to raise the cow. Then when it's time, you'll have to give him the cow (because only they can decide to whom it will be distributed), and naturally, you'll need to pay for the processing of said cow. Then you'll be sent a bill to cover the deficit in the budget for the program that managed the program that allowed you to raise the cow in the 1st place. Oh yeah, don't forget about the bill that will be sent to the grandchildren when they reach working age, so that they can pay for their role in the raising of that cow, too. After all, no child should be left behind when it comes to paying their fair share.

 

[dun]

I would approach it by setting the example and explaining why it's done. If you have to coerce them it's not really charity/charitable.

 

[1982vett]

I would approach it by setting the example and explaining why it's done. If you have to coerce them it's not really charity/charitable.

Don't understand why you feel the need to control your grandkids spending habits so I agree with Dun.....I'd think their parents should be guiding spending habits...unless you still take care of them too.....Teaching by example steps on fewer toes....

 

[Isomade]

Kathie, I understand what you are trying to do, and it's a great idea. I think my grandfather was one of the greatest men to ever walk the planet and he taught me some great principals for life; hard work, money management, family first ect. I think about him every day. But if he had an idea to get me to send my hard earned money (never had an allowance, had to work for it) so we could feed out a calf and give it away I would not have agreed. It's hard because of the distance and I don't know what you can do other than teaching them some life principals, that so many lack these days, on weekends and summer time work at your place. I think the most important thing to them will be your time and knowing that you care enough for them to teach them something worth more than what money could ever buy. JMHO

 

[JSCATTLE]

I'm not sure about donating a cow or proceeds from a cow ..when each of my boys were born I " gave" them each a hiefer ...now I sell the calves and put the money in each of their accounts .....when they turn 16 and ask for a truck they can buy their own...I use to donate time for habitat for humanity ... But its really hard to work for free for people that don't appreciate it... And with people that have no clue how to frame a house...

 

[ga.prime]

RU raising cattle on behalf of your Grandkids for charity?

No.

 

[Gale Seddon]

Kathie, if your grandkids live in the city, maybe they could donate some time at the local homeless shelter...that's a real eye opener...but it's something they could do in their own community!

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

Well, it was just a thought . . . . . and thanks for yours.

The (now) 7-yr. old had no idea last winter that there were kids her age that might not have (as she called it) a "real dinner" every night, and maybe never had snacks in the house. She is our drama queen, but, nonetheless, that Christmas Food Bank experience made a very big impression on her. The youngest didn't quite get it; the BIGS did -- but had never really taken a look at the need in their local community.

 

[JSCATTLE]

Well, it was just a thought . . . . . and thanks for yours.

The (now) 7-yr. old had no idea last winter that there were kids her age that might not have (as she called it) a "real dinner" every night, and maybe never had snacks in the house. She is our drama queen, but, nonetheless, that Christmas Food Bank experience made a very big impression on her. The youngest didn't quite get it; the BIGS did -- but had never really taken a look at the need in their local community.

The bad thing is its the parents fault ....I would do with out before my kids went hungry . We live in a small town and I see it all the time kids with out the proper clothes for school plays but their parents have designer purses and smokes in their hands... It's unfortunate for the kids but I grew up poor and work really hard to make life better for my kids .. however I fill like being poor made me who I am and it made me a hard worker... Makes you appreciative of what you have .

 

[Caustic Burno]

Well, it was just a thought . . . . . and thanks for yours.

The (now) 7-yr. old had no idea last winter that there were kids her age that might not have (as she called it) a "real dinner" every night, and maybe never had snacks in the house. She is our drama queen, but, nonetheless, that Christmas Food Bank experience made a very big impression on her. The youngest didn't quite get it; the BIGS did -- but had never really taken a look at the need in their local community.

The bad thing is its the parents fault ....I would do with out before my kids went hungry . We live in a small town and I see it all the time kids with out the proper clothes for school plays but their parents have designer purses and smokes in their hands... It's unfortunate for the kids but I grew up poor and work really hard to make life better for my kids .. however I fill like being poor made me who I am and it made me a hard worker... Makes you appreciative of what you have .

Amen from the choir.
Having to earn it sure makes you appreciate it more.
I remember when first married we were so poor we had to move the light bulb from room to room.
You couldn't go to my parents for help wasn't going to happen figured if you were big enough to row your own boat you row it. I had to sell my horses and saddles to pay bills, dang sure didn't like the feeling.

 

[Jogeephus]

These kids already have the concept of helping their fellow man; and I'd like to further that, working with what we do out here in "no-malls land", but not quite sure how to get there, and also let them know we are willing to help with that endeavor, that beef doesn't grow on trees, that there's an amount of satisfaction that comes from raising food close to home, BUT they have to be a part of it . . .

Like mentioned, there are some real deadbeats out there so I shy away from giving money myself. I don't know how willing they are but I think you could take their advantages (living in the city) and use this in combination with your advantages (not living in the city) and use these two for a greater good. If they are really wanting to do something significant, why not get them to use their contacts to collect money to raise another beef besides the one you already have in mind. Their job will be to inform, educate and oversee the collection of donations from others. You could start a blog or a web page tracking the money, the growth of the calves etc so that everyone interested could share in the experience of raising the calf and you might even educate a few people. Then the site could show the delivery of the meat to the food bank so everyone will feel like they have been part of something good. And I think it would be only right to give thanks to all the sponsors of the calf and any extra money will be given to the food bank to clean the slate. All this should be documented and be as transparent as spring water.

On a selfish note, a project like this could be a wonderful feather in your grand kids hats come college admissions time.

Oh, and its very refreshing to see kids this age thinking of someone besides themselves so my hat's off to you. :tiphat:

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

Thanks, Jogeephus. Really! This gives me a BUNCH more to think about. My grandbabies have had a good life -- they recognize that not everyone does. They're good kids, smart kids, good students, polite, sensitive, respectful; and can kick butt in baseball, soccer and gymnastics. I'm very proud of them. :heart:

 

[chippie]

I would suggest doing something that the children can actively participate in. Help them go through their clothing and toys to donate to a local women's shelter or other organization.

You raising the calves and telling them about it, isn't the same thing as them making choices and being an active part of it.

Setting by example is good. Your raising the calf and donating the processed calf to a food bank is a good thing. Our children (when they were teenagers) donated their fair projects - 75 processed/frozen roasters and 1/2 of a market steer (cut, wrapped & frozen by a USDA inspected butcher) to our area food bank. They also paid for part of the processing too. We will probably have another half to donate at Christmas time.

Of course, I would discuss it with their parents being doing anything.

ETA: The older kids could organize a food or clothing drive through their church or school. "Learning by doing."