Every day, people around the world have to carry buckets of water for miles just to have clean drinkable water. On Sunday, April 9, Walk for Water Toledo will hold an event on The University of Toledo’s Main Campus to help raise money to provide water purification units for people in other countries so that they do not have to walk as far for water.
Walk for Water is a fundraising 5K walk and run to increase Toledo’s awareness of the worldwide lack of access to clean water and to raise funds to help Clean Water for the World in its efforts to provide water purifications units at no cost to communities in developing countries.
Last year, 197 participants carried 202 gallons of water and raised more than $20,000.
Participants are encouraged to carry gallons of water during the fundraiser to help simulate what people around the world have to do every day.
Last year, 197 participants carried a total of 202 gallons of water over the 3.2-mile route. They also raised more than $20,000, which was enough to provide 20 water purification units.
“Clean Water for the World is a nonprofit organization that provides simple, adaptable water purification systems at no charge to communities without access to clean water,” said Brittany Layden, publicity director for Walk for Water Toledo. “These units were built on UT’s campus by engineering students and then installed by the students in villages in El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. These 20 units will provide about 12,000 gallons of clean water per day to about 3,000 people.”
The water purification units also help in lowering chances of getting intestinal illnesses such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery and typhoid fever, Layden said.
Gold, silver and bronze metals will go to men and women in the 5K race. Trophies also will be awarded to the individual or team that raises the most money and carry the most water.
Registration is $12 for students and $15 for adults. T-shirts also will be available for $8.
Register and donate at firstgiving.com/cw4w/WalkforWaterToledo2017.
