Projects

Humanitarian causes

John was a co-founder of The Hunger Project and in September 1984 he was part of a fact-finding trip to Africa in conjunction with UNICEF. We have donated to both these organisations. We also sponsor a child in Africa through Plan UK and have purchased a goat and a cow for needy families through Heifer International.

Oxfam. We are currently raising funds to create classrooms and kit out teachers through the Oxfam Unwrapped scheme. This will cost £1,725 per classroom and teacher. Given John’s interest in improving conditions in the developing world, and his love for children everywhere, we think this a wonderful way to spend the money we raise at our Denver Days and concerts.
Child Sponsorship - Plan UK
Heifer International
UNICEF
The Hunger Project

Environmental Education

Friends of John Denver is a member of The Windstar Foundation, and you are all encouraged to visit their website and consider becoming members in your own right.

The Windstar Foundation

Tree-planting

John was keen to promote the planting of trees all over the world as he saw the benefits they bring to our environment. He was a supporter of the National Arbor Day Foundation, and in 1992 he founded Plant-It 2000 (now Plant-It 2020). We have arranged for trees to be planted in the UK, dedicated to John, through the Woodland Trust and The Tree Council. We have also contributed to tree-planting in Africa through Tree Aid.

Wildlife Conservation

John performed the Wildlife Concert for the Wildlife Conservation Society and he often sang and spoke about wildlife such as whales, dolphins and wolves. His final song Yellowstone (Coming Home) was, in part, about the return of wolves to Yellowstone National Park. We have sponsored wolves through both Defenders of Wildlife and the Highland Wildlife Park. We have also contributed towards a bench dedicated to John in the English Nature reserve at Dersingham Bog, Norfolk.

Peace Initiatives

We all know how passionate John was about his dream of peace throughout the world. In recognition of this, the John Denver Memorial Peace Cloth has been created. There is also a Children’s Peace Cloth, made up of contributions by children including our own Ruth Oddie’s Brownie Pack.

Peace Cloth Panel