SARANAC LAKE — How many people truly appreciate all they have?
That is a question Dr. Roger Ellis thinks people should ask themselves every day.
Ellis, a veterinarian and graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, has worked with Heifer International for more than 25 years. The nonprofit organization's mission is to work with those living in Third World nations by giving them livestock to improve their nutrition and increase their income.
"We work to empower people to help themselves," Ellis said.
Ellis, who received the president's Volunteer Service Award in 2010, will be a featured speaker for three services at the First United Methodist Church on Sunday.
Though Heifer International has its roots in Christianity, it is an "all-faith" institution.
"There are no strings attached. It's not like we'll only help you if you're Christian," Ellis said, laughing.
He first heard of Heifer International while on a church trip to Nicaragua. As a veterinarian, Heifer's mission appealed to Ellis.
"A key component of the project is when people receive animals and training, they make a promise to give the first newborn female to a community member," Ellis said.
This promise is what helps Heifer have a greater reach.
"What I really like is that it gets people involved. They never cease to amaze me," Ellis said. "One school in Nicaragua made the decision to share 40 percent of the offspring with the community."
According to Ellis, a woman in Zimbabwe once said to him, "Now I have a way to feed myself, and you gave me dignity because now I have enough to help feed my neighbor."
When Heifer International started almost 70 years ago, the volunteers gave out cattle — hence the organization's name. Now, Heifer has expanded to include 26 different animals — fish, silkworms, bees (for honey and pollination), chicken, geese, sheep, water buffalo and more.
"The biggest animal we've ever given was an elephant in Thailand. It was used for trekking and moving things," Ellis said.
"You can Google it if you don't believe me, but because of how elephants digest food, they have a lot of fiber in their manure. The people were actually able to make paper from that manure," he chuckled.
Since having started in 1944, Heifer has helped 7 million families in 125 countries. According to Ellis, Heifer's 2012 initiative is to find a way to produce more food in the world.
"I will never forget Uganda," Ellis said. "I went to visit a woman who received a cow. She had six children, four of whom belonged to her brother and his wife who had died from AIDS."
By selling the cow's milk, the woman was able to build a small but sturdy home made of bricks. They had enough to buy windows, doors and roofing material.
"One cow made all this difference," Ellis said. "She was able to get nutrition for her children, tuition paid, and she bought a house. It's amazing."
Ellis spreads the message of Heifer International because of a woman he met in Thailand.
"I do this because of a visit to northern Thailand. I was sitting in a schoolhouse when a woman came up to me and said, 'I know I'll never get to the U.S. to thank the people. I hope you can do that for me.' It was really moving."
"Passing on our Gifts" will be the title of Ellis's sermon on Sunday.
"We all say we have gifts, and we're really lucky," Ellis said. "But when you see how it is, then you really understand."
Dr. Ellis received the President's Volunteer Service Award. A veterinarian and 1977 graduate of the NY State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell, Dr. Ellis has served as a volunteer with Heifer International for 25 years.
