Event to raise awareness, funds for clean water

April 12, 2016 | Events, UToday
By Lindsay Mahaney



Women and children lugging jugs for miles every day to get clean water is a reality in many countries around the world — and it will be simulated on The University of Toledo’s Main Campus this weekend.

Walk for Water is an annual fundraising event to increase Toledo’s awareness for the worldwide lack of access to clean water and to raise funds to help Clean Water for the World, an organization working to build, ship, install and maintain water purification units for people without clean water around the world. The organization provides the units at no cost to local communities in developing countries.

UT students participated in the 2015 Walk for Water.

UT students participated in the 2015 Walk for Water.

The fundraiser will start on The University of Toledo’s Centennial Mall Sunday, April 17, at 2 p.m. Participants can begin checking in at 1:15 p.m. for the 5K run or walk.

Over the past three years, the campaign has raised $31,000, purchasing 10 water units that have been placed in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Haiti.

“It is important to participate in [Walk for Water] because it promotes solidarity and awareness through experiential learning on The University of Toledo campus, allowing students, faculty and Toledo community members to advocate for clean water,” said Kristy Kagy, president of UT’s Catholic Student Association.

Donations can be solicited through the registration website. Once registered, individuals make an account that family, friends and community members can give to by clicking on the participant’s name and pressing the donate button. Groups also can register.

Participants are encouraged to carry jugs filled with water during the 5K to mimic the daily effort of women and children in developing countries exert for clean water. A water carrying competition will be held during the event, in which the group that carries the greatest volume of water without backpacks or wheels wins. Pre-filled jugs will be available at the event.

Registration is $10 for students and $15 for adults and includes a Walk for Water button.

T-shirts can be purchased for $8.

Register and donate online at firstgiving.com/cw4w/walk-for-water-toledo-2016.

Click to access the login or register cheese