Hockey Fans Buy Goats For Those in Need

CRWRC Newsroom | April 17, 2009

In many parts of Canada, it is traditional for men to grow a beard, or goatee, while their favorite hockey team is in the playoffs.  Joel Nagtegaal of Langley, BC decided to take this one step further and encourage people to buy a goat for a family in need for every time his team, the Vancouver Canucks, wins a playoff game.  

“With the Vancouver Canucks set to make a deep run into the play offs, we are looking for something that will help drum up support in other areas of the world,” said Nagtegaal on his website. 

Goats were a great choice.  Not only do goats and goatees go well together, but a goat can be a life-changing addition to a family in need. Goats are great animals for poor farmers. They’re easy to care for and will eat almost anything. They can be kept in a small yard, and are strong and hardy. In addition, goats breed after just a few years, providing additional goats for the family and community.

Goats also provide the family with a number of benefits. Baby and adult goats can be sold for income, the meat can be eaten, and the milk can be a nutritious source of calcium and protein for the family. 

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee works in communities around the world to help families in need due to poverty or natural disasters.  One of their programs involves goats.  Through local churches and community organizations, CRWRC staff identify the families who are most in need.  They then teach these families how to raise and care for goats.  They also teach them how to build an appropriate shelter to house the animals. After completing their training, each family is given a female goat. The community also purchases a male goat for breeding.  When the first baby goat is born, it is returned to the community so that it can be given to another poor family.  This way the benefits of the program continue to spread.

Nagtegaal is hoping that the Canuck's playoff run will result in a herd of goats for those most in need.  He is encouraging people to donate one goat for each Canucks win.

"That's four goats per round times four rounds, or sixteen goats," said Nagtegaal. "Each goat is $25 for a total of $400. A small price to pay for winning the Cup."

To read more about Nagtegaal’s "Goat! Canucks Goat!" Program, visit his website or check out his page on facebook.com.

To donate a goat, click here:  Canada | US

Note: Donations to CRWRC's "Goat Fund" will be directed to CRWRC's International Disaster Response team to use for goat programs around the world.  Twenty five dollars represents the approximate cost of one goat.  Costs of actual goats may vary depending on where and when they are purchased and distributed.  In addition, some money from the Goat Fund will be used to cover other necessary costs in the goat distribution program.  This includes goat vaccination and training sessions on animal husbandry and animal care.