Helping Hydrate Haiti

Helping Hydrate Haiti
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.
See You there on May 8th, 2010
KEEP THE DATE FREE !
Rotary Club of Glens Falls
District 7190
District 7190