Stories celebrating a number of youth groups that have already met the challenge are featured below. More ideas for fundraising and awareness-raising events are also shared on our Partners in Action page.

The youth of Pine Valley UMC in Wilmington tripled their fundraising dreams for ZOE’s Giving Hope Project by raising more than $8000.

Their objective was $2500, which is the cost of one Giving Hope home in Africa.  They constructed a house out of Plexiglas to represent their goal and as a central location for donations.

Fundraising kicked off on May 31 with announcements about this church wide project during worship services and the selling of ZOE ministry t-shirts.  The good work culminated on July 19 with a Silent Auction and day of celebration.  Sunday school classes were challenged to provide themed baskets for the sale.  Other items were donated by church members and friends in the community. During the auction a “gourmet” hotdog luncheon with desserts was offered by parents of the youth.  The luncheon was $4 per person and $1 for an extra hotdog.

The church came to gather as one family and to help make this event happen and the donations were very creative: game night themes, parents’ night out, a day at the beach and even a handmade quilt made by some of the youth which was valued as priceless.

Youth leader Kay Creech said that, “The day of celebration was amazing.  The turnout was incredible and the fellowship, hotdogs and dessert were even better. There is no doubt in our mind that the Lord had his hands in this entire event. With his direction and our purpose in mind we surpassed our goal times 3. The church as a whole was overwhelmed with the generosity and the spirit of giving that we felt as we helped raise money for the children in Africa.”

Learn more about the Youth Seed Grant Challenge program and curriculum.

Youth from Mebane UMC hosted a ZOE Festival and raised enough funds to support three full households of vulnerable children for their 3 years in the Giving Hope Empowerment Project.

The Youth of Mebane UMC turned their $100 Seed Grant into $2,668 by sponsoring a day of activities to raise money for orphans in Africa. The day began early in the morning with a pancake breakfast and Silent Auction of Talents donated by the Youth and ended with a Parent’s Night Out babysitting service at 8:30pm. Thanks to everyone who made this wonderful day possible.

This gift is the equivalent of support for three households of vulnerable children for their entire three years in the Giving Hope Empowerment Project! At the end of the three years, the children in Giving Hope have learned the life-skills necessary to be self-sufficient and eliminate dependence on outside relief programs.

Youth from First UMC in Wilson, NC created an ark and gave people in their community an opportunity to purchase dinner and make donations toward animals and seeds for the children in ZOE’s Giving Hope Empowerment Project. This event not only filled the ark with “paper animals and seed,” it turned a $100 grant into $4,000.  The youth did a wonderful job of publicizing their project and selling tickets to the event.  As an added bonus, guests received magnets made by children in a local Hispanic ministry who also wanted to support the work of ZOE.  Thanks to everyone for their support!

Learn more about ZOE’s Youth Seed Grant Challenge.

Cutting out the pillow shape

Sewing the pillowcase

Completed pillows!

An assembly line of cutters, stuffers, and sewers turned a $100 Seed Grant into $2000. Church members handed over their favorite T-shirts to the youth at Soapstone UMC in Raleigh, NC and soon received their very own “Pillow Pal.”

Jean Damascene filming his part in Pillow Pals: The Movie!

Perfect for traveling, one of the pillows even made its way to Rwanda recently. Jean Damascene smiled during a video session that will soon be turned into “Pillow Pals: The Movie!” Jean was so happy to hear that youth who were inspired by his story are now raising money to help many other orphans as well. Thanks to all those who gave their time and talents to this wonderful idea.

This project was featured on United Methodist Television. Watch their video: “Teen Fundraisers Aid Africa”

Learn more about ZOE’s Youth Seed Grant Challenge.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLQiPYRTtmQ

On February 8, the youth sold animals and seeds to church members who made purchases in honor of loved ones.

A ZOE Presentation Day, featuring a traditional African meal prepared by their United Methodist Women, raised awareness for the work of ZOE on February 22.

They also assisted ZOE in their Winter T-shirt sale by selling t-shirts in Fort Mill and by processing all of the t-shirt orders placed through our website during their 30-Hour Famine Lock-In on February 28.

We give thanks for their faithful work that turned a $100 grant into $2433 to help transform many lives.

Way to go Philadelphia UMC!

Learn more about ZOE’s Youth Seed Grant Challenge.