Beaufort County’s Annual Walk for Water to take place in September
The eighth edition of the Beaufort County Walk for Water is set to take place on Sept. 14 at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal and Sept. 21 at Wright Family Park in Bluffton. Organizers anticipate approximately 1,000 participants, aiming to make a record-breaking effort to raise $100,000 in the fight against the international water crisis.
Fundraising for Clean, Safe Water Access
All funds raised in the event support the work of Water Mission, a Charleston-based nonprofit Christian engineering organization dedicated to providing sustainable, safe water solutions in developing countries and disaster-stricken areas. In the previous Walk for Water event, a turn-up of over 700 participants on both sides of the Beaufort River contributed towards changing the lives of thousands of people globally.
Robert Lasher, Beaufort County Walk for Water committee chair, highlighted the importance of the fundraising initiative. “Just $50 can provide a single person with consistent access to clean, safe water,” stated Lasher. “With $500, we can create a community latrine sanitation unit, while $1,000 can build solar panels for a power source.”
Creating Awareness and Simulating Experience
As part of the experience, participants are urged to carry a bucket of water for a portion of the 3-mile walk to signify the burden shouldered by millions of women and children in developing nations. These individuals often travel similar distances daily to collect often contaminated water, with dire consequences. According to Water Mission, a person dies from water-related illnesses approximately every 37 seconds somewhere on the planet.
Registration and Sponsorship
Registration for the Walk for Water event is now open at walkforwater.com/beaufort. Adult registration costs $25, while youths aged 5 to 17 are charged $10. Children aged 4 and under participate for free. An early registration discount of $5 is available until Sept. 4 using the code EARLYBIRD at the registration site. Registrants before Aug. 13 are guaranteed T-shirt sizes of their preference.
In a bid to encourage early registration, a matching gift donation offer to double the impact of the funds raised is available for a limited time, topping at $10,000. For more details, contact Robert Lasher via 843-906-8118 or rlasher5519@gmail.com. Beaufort County Walk for Water news and updates are available on Facebook and Instagram @BeaufortWalkforWater, and on Twitter via the hashtag #bftwalkforwater. Potential participants may also call 843-769-7395 for further information.
