Photos Courtesy of Hope 4 Kids International
Hope 4 Kids International, a Phoenix-based nonprofit working to restore dignity and health to families living in extreme poverty, is hosting their annual Walk 4 Water fundrasier on Sat., Nov. 12 at Anthem Community Park.
The Walk 4 Water fundraiser is a one-day event where participants traverse a two-mile walking trail, symbolizing the average distance Ugandan women and children travel to retrieve water, largely from unprotected sources including open ponds, livestock water points, and polluted ditches.
Proceeds raised by Walk 4 Water Anthem will support the drilling of a deep-water well in the Ariet Village of Uganda, whose primary water source is a swamp. The well will provide safe, clean water from deep aquafers to the surrounding villages. When properly installed, these wells can last between 30 to 50 years with little to no maintenance.
Registration and check-in begins at 10 a.m. followed by the walk at 10:30 a.m. Those walking are enouraged to post their progress on social media using the hashtag #W4WAnthem.
“We are so blessed to have an abundance of clean water that we forget there are millions of people worldwide who do not have access to drinking water,” says Angie Simon, vice president of international development at Hope 4 Kids. “Walk 4 Water Anthem is not only a great way to raise funds for those in need, but it is an opportunity for the community to connect through the power of giving.”
The event was made possible by the tireless effort from four Boulder Creek High School students. These students led the Walk 4 Water Committee in planning the event, gathering community sponsorships and encouraging clubs and peers at school to register. They will lead the walk on Nov. 12 and they will undoubtedly continue to make a global impact for years to come.
Registration fees and further donations during the course of the event will go towards Hope 4 Kids International’s fundraising goal of $13,500. For adults the cost to participate is $25, for youth 13 to 17 it is $15, and for children 12 or under it is just $10. In addition to these donations, the Rotary Club of Anthem, a partner of Walk 4 Water Anthem, has pledged to match all corporate sponsors up to $5,000.
Through the Water 4 Kids program, over 932 fresh-water wells have been drilled and over three million people now have access to clean water. In addition to their Walk 4 Water program, Hope 4 Kids International serves over 103 countries by establishing economic, spiritual, water, educational, and feeding programs.
For more information on how you can support Hope 4 Kids International and Walk 4 Water fundraising visit w4ki.org.
