Rotary Clubs Make a Difference in Third World Regions

www. o u r t o w n e g l e n s f a l l s . c o m 2 5

Once again, the Rotary Club of Glens Falls, in conjunction

with Rotary District 7190, are hosting their walking event

to aid Pure Water projects. The club raised thousands of

dollars last year during its first ever Water Walk event

and are gearing up to make this year even bigger. More

teams are anticipated to participate as word spreads of

the fun teams have on the day. The event raises money

for vital work in impoverished countries to bring pure

drinking water to areas desperately in need. Last year we

raised money to bring thousands of homes and schools

in southern Honduras bio-sand water filters. These filters

eliminate nearly all of the water-borne illness plaguing

that region.

The event, slated for May 8th in Crandall Park, Glens

Falls, is the culmination of an effort by participating

teams to raise both money and awareness to the plights

of millions of people worldwide. The event, itself, is a

relay-style walk-a-thon through Crandall Park with a

lunch and fun activities in the park all day long. Teams

can win awards and prizes for the amounts raised, the

number of laps completed and the team dress they wear.

Pure drinking water is now a major initive for Rotary

International after the huge success of the Polio Plus

campaign to eradicate polio from the world.

Locally, the Rotary Club of Glens Falls has spearheaded

the drive to help Pure Water for the World (PWW) bring

potable water to those poorest nations in need.

In past years the focus was on Guatemala and Honduras.
 They started a

bio-sand filter manufacturing plant in Choluteca in

southern Honduras and continue to build and

distribute them there.

The money was raised from both Rotary grant applications

and from local fundraising efforts.

This year, after ensuring the continuity of the Honduran

project, the club and PWW are focussing on Haiti. Local

entrepreneur, Charles Adams, made all the initial contacts

and set the wheels in motion for Rotary to facilitate

the program there. Charles was kidnapped in Haiti a few years ago

while scouting out how to best direct the PWW

efforts in that country.

The Glens Falls Club has been a catalyst for great

progress in these endeavors through sending their own

members to these regions and writing grants to fund the

programs.

They are looking for teams to be formed from churches,

schools, businesses and families to participate in this

year's Water Walk. Teams can contact the club online at

www.glensfallsrotary.org , by phone at (518) 793-5660

or by mail at P.O. Box 4702, Queensbury, NY, 12804.

Information will be mailed out including Team Leader

kits, Collection envelopes and event details. Donations

are always accepted and should be mailed to the above

address and made out to the Rotary Club of Glens Falls

Foundation, Inc.

Please mark checks "Water Walk" in the memo line; and

indicate if you require a receipt.