30 Hour Famine Information

Dear Parent:

Our youth group will be participating in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine. Through the Famine, your son or daughter will play an active role in fighting world hunger and helping save kids’ lives. Your child might already be signed up and working on raising support. However, if you child is not, there is still time. Included in this mailing is information regarding this year’s 30 Hour Famine. You can get a fund raising packet from the church office or youth room if you would like to try to raise money before the Famine. However, we still encourage your youth to come and be a part of this event no matter how much money they have been able to raise.

To help you and your son/daughter get the most out of the 30 Hour Famine, we have provided them with a Student Guide (included in fund raising packet) that’s filled with information about the event, World Vision’s work, and more. In addition I’d like to highlight a few important points you as a parent may want to know.

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus, we serve the poor as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. We serve the world’s poor – regardless of a person’s religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. More information about World Vision can be found online at www.worldvision.org.

World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine started in the U.S. 17 years ago as a way for junior high, high school and college-age students to help save – and change – children’s lives. By going without food for 30 hours and raising money to help needy children, young people gain a deeper awareness of the needs in our world and realize that they can play a vital role in making a difference.

During their 30 hours, students go without food (but can drink plenty of water and juices) to experience true hunger and learn powerful lessons of compassion for those who live with hunger daily. The average, healthy person is able to go without food for 30 hours without any ill effects. Exceptions include children under the age of 12; the elderly; pregnant or nursing women; people with specific medical conditions including diabetes, hypoglycemia or eating disorders. If you have any health-related questions about fasting, we strongly advise you consult your family doctor prior to participation. It is not required that students fast in order to participate in the 30 Hour Famine but it does help us truly sympathize with the conditions many children deal with daily around the world. More information on fasting and the 30 Hour Famine can be found at www.30hourfamine.org.

Lastly, you and your family can impact a needy child’s life all year long through child sponsorship. By sponsoring a child, you can have a personal relationship with a child whose life you will change. You’ll receive background information and a photo of your sponsored child. You’ll also receive periodic progress reports and updated photos, and you can even exchange letters and pictures. For a dollar a day – just $30 a month – you and your family can provide improved health, nutrition and education to a child in need. Visit www.30hourfamine.org/child to sponsor a child today!

On behalf of the children and families worldwide who are being helped, thanks to the commitment of your son/daughter, thank you!

Sincerely,

Cody Shepherd, Hill-n-Dale Youth Minister

If you should need to contact me during the event please call my cell phone at (859)533-8621.

Here are some specific things to keep in mind as you pack and prepare for this year’s 30 Hour Famine.

Changes from last year:

• This year we want to try something new to help us better understand the conditions many children live in throughout the year. We encourage your students to find a large box which they will use to sleep in outside. You can decorate it in any fashion as long as it would not be embarrassing to God. We will have adults outside with your students at all times, so there will not be any harm to them. This is only an option and is not necessary in order to participate. If you would rather not participate in this activity, that is completely fine.
• Remember that this year we are having 30 Hour Famine at a later date, which means you can wear some warmer clothes. However, you still might want to pack a light jacket and some pants.

Packing List: (a list of things to make sure to bring)

· Bible, notebook & pencil

· Two days of casual clothes, shoes

· Set of clothes for service event

· Jacket/coat

· Sleeping bag/pillow

· Something to sleep in

· Your financial support packet

· For fun: encouragement cards (optional)

· Camera (optional)

Other Things To Remember:

• The Famine officially starts on Friday, May 1 after you eat your lunch at school. You may not have any food. Only water and 100% juice is allowed to drink.
• Doors will officially open at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1 with our event kicking off at 5:30 p.m.
• Once again we will be finishing off the Famine with a feast at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. This feast is a potluck meal in which we encourage all parents to bring a favorite dish of the youth. Please bring this dish between 6:00-6:30 p.m. in the chapel/kitchen area of the church.
• Make sure to bring your consent form to be a part of this Famine. You must fill one out to be a part of this event! You can download one at the church website at www.hillndale.com.