Giving gifts 2 by 2

Costa Mesa optometrist donates an ‘ark of animals’ through Heifer International. ‘I like the idea of giving gifts that are productive,’ he says. Give two of every kind. That was Dr. Jeffrey Brown’s goal last Christmas when he chose his philanthropic project for 2005.

Brown, an optometrist who works at Family Eye Care in Costa Mesa, spent the entire calendar year putting money into a fund that will go toward helping poor families, many of whom live in developing countries.

Through Heifer International -- a nonprofit organization that provides livestock, training and other resources to families around the world -- Brown was able to donate an “ark of animals” in his name.

On Tuesday, he presented a $5,000 check to Pamela Edwards, Heifer’s community relations coordinator for the Southwest.

“I like the idea of giving gifts that are productive instead of something like a DVD,” Brown said. “This gift continues on.”

With Brown’s check, Heifer is able to give a range of animals -- in pairs -- to families in need. The animals provide basic necessities and the chance for farmers to become self-sufficient, Edwards said.

In his office, Brown pinned up a chart that showed the fundraising progress and what each dollar amount meant.

For example, $500 raised meant two trios of rabbits to provide food and income for families in North Korea.

Future funds went toward oxen to pull carts in Uganda and two beehives to help families in Canada earn money through the sale of honey.

Also in this ark are two lamas, two cows, two goats, two trios of guinea pigs, two sheep, two donkeys, two camels, two flocks of chickens, two trios of ducks, two pigs, two water buffalo and two flocks of geese.

In all, Heifer has 28 kinds of animals from which to choose. The organization also helps provide farmers and families with training in how to best use the animals for production purposes.

Edwards said the firstborn female of donated animals is often donated to other families.

“We try to end hunger and poverty in a way that’s environmentally sustainable,” Edwards said. “It’s about self-reliance.”

Edwards said about 300,000 individual donors across the country have contributed to the 61-year-old organization. Heifer International has an annual presence at the Centennial Farm at the Orange County Fairgrounds, where it has a booth and teaches visitors about farm animals.

Brown said this year’s fundraising project mostly consisted of taking a percentage of the profit from each eye exam he conducted.

Brown also got some of his longtime clients involved. They helped add about $200, he said.

“This is a collective effort,” Edwards said. “He has started a cycle of giving. People who are recipients become donors too.”

Brown said he’d like to travel with Heifer International to one of the countries helped by the organization.

And as for plans in 2006?

“White out the total and start again,” he said.

* ELIA POWERS is the enterprise and general assignment reporter. He may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or by e-mail at elia.powers@latimes.com.

20051228is6w9xncDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Jeffrey Brown, a Costa Mesa optometrist, presented $5,000 to Pamela Edwards of Heifer International, an organization that provides livestock to people, mostly in developing countries.