Good news–construction has started in Sierra Leone! Thanks to many generous donors, our teams have started building the first of 10 wells. So far, we have commitments in place for 6 of the 10 planned water projects. Sierra Leone bears the tragic distinction of having the highest child mortality rate in the world. These wells will help change that. Thank you for your support!
November 6, 2009
Thank you, St. Paul!
Thank you, members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Worth! Your contribution means an impoverished community in rural Ethiopia will soon receive the gift of clean water. Your generosity will transform lives. Thank you so much for your support!
September 20, 2009
Water to Thrive 5K a huge success!
And it was all thanks to you!
It was a great morning, not too cool, not too hot (which considering the weather this summer was a blessing in and of itself), and we were all ready to go.
We were so blessed to have so many volunteers, expertly coordinated by our volunteer coordinator, Laura Holland.
We had many people walk up to register on the day of the race!
Concordia University was one of our generous sponsors!
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation was another generous sponsor.
In addition to these wonderful sponsors, we have many other businesses to thank:
Backwoods
Hill Country Galleria
Apricot Lane
Enovate Enterprises
HEB
Whole Foods Market
Learning Express
Waterloo Ice House
As 8:30 rolled around, it was time to start the Kids K! They were all so excited!
Congrats to our top three Kid's K finishers!
After the race, some of the kids visited another sponsor for some fun and face painting!
Then it was time for the main event: the 5K. It was amazing to see so many runners out on that great morning.
Program Director Becky Turner spoke a few words before the start of the race.
A representative from A Glimmer of Hope also spoke to the crowd.
And they’re off!
And then, almost as soon as it began, it was over.
The top three men's finishers
The top three women's finishers.
All in all, it was an amazing day. To quote our Program Director, Becky Turner:
“I can picture in my mind, and even somehow sense the smiles that are on all of the beautiful faces across the world whose lives will forever be changed by clean water….Today’s 5k/Kids K is yet another way we are able to tell ”their story.” Thank you for being part of their story, and helping us lift up their plight for clean water, and be a part of the solution.”
Thank you for making the Water to Thrive 5k a huge success! We’ll see you next year!
September 2, 2009
Join our Virtual 5K!
All of us at Water to Thrive are so grateful for our friends and supporters! Many of you are participating in our inaugural 5K on September 19 and we look forward to seeing you there. For those of you who are unable to attend, we invite you to join our Virtual 5K.
Here’s how it works….
Go to www.watertothrive.org and choose the T-shirt only option. Then, at 9:00 a.m. on Sept. 19, wear your T-shirt and raise a glass of clean, fresh water in honor of rural Africans whose lives will be transformed with the gift of clean water. Your support helps us offer hope and health to thousands in Ethiopia and Sierra Leone. Together, we are making a difference!
August 14, 2009
Water to Thrive 5K Race September 19!
Are you a runner? How ’bout a walker? Come out to the beautiful Hill Country Galleria on September 19 for the inaugural Water to Thrive 5k and Kids K! Registration can be done online here.
Not so much into the running? You can still be a part of this great event! Your company can be an event sponsor or sponsor a race team. Click on the 5k Race tab for more information.
More questions? Contact Becky@watertothrive.org or Melissa@watertothrive.org.
See you on September 19!
August 9, 2009
Clean water for Sierra Leone
As many of you know, Water to Thrive has expanded its reach to include projects Sierra Leone. We are working hard to raise funds for our first ten wells there and want to take this opportunity to thank Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Dallas for their wonderful support of our efforts. Thank you, Mount Olive, for helping us help our brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone!
July 31, 2009
Memorable Moments: Ethiopia , May 2009
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Recently I returned from my first Water to Thrive trip to Ethiopia . While I was there I was able to visit many of the water projects that your gifts and contributions have made possible for the people of rural Ethiopia . My heart is forever touched, and changed.
I struggle now to find adequate words to tell you about this trip. It seems that words may never come close to describing the joy that these communities now experience because of your kindness and willingness to create change through the gift of clean water.Halleluia Hugs
If I could summarize the emotions and gratitude of the people into one word, it would be “halleluiah!” This proclamation was exclaimed over and over in many of the communities, as people gathered around to share in the joy and tears of the transformative gift of clean water.
I watched as women proudly walked up to a water faucet for the first time in their lives and turned it on. Seeing the water flow out of the faucet was somehow a new and intriguing experience even for me, as I watched and witnessed the reaction of those that had never used a faucet before. As the water filled the jerry can beneath it, I knew that the 45 pounds that a mother was about to hoist onto her back and carry home, was the first water that she would carry without the fear of quenching her child’s thirst with disease.
As we watched the fresh water flow for the first time in many communities, the people of the villages showered us with their elation and thanks, giving back to us in whatever ways they could. We were presented with flowers, coffee beans, corn stalks and even native apparel. At each project we had the opportunity to sit down and exchange a few words with the community. Sometimes this was with only a handful of people, and other times there were over a thousand people. We took these opportunities to recognize and lift up your contributions in making this possible. We communicated that we represent the thousands of people here in the United States that send their love, support and faith in a better future for the people of rural Ethiopia .
Clean Water
It seems only fair, that having enjoyed the celebration with these communities, we take a moment to share some of the stories with you. Because there are many stories that we would like to share, we have decided to spread them out over a few different communications. Below you will find the first set of stories, sharing some of the most Memorable Moments of our recent trip.
Having witnessed the dire conditions for water, I have a deeper conviction than ever to continue to serve the rural poor in Africa that are in need of clean water. I need your help and continued support. We must not stop short of all that we can do. It only takes a small sacrifice on your part to make a monumental difference in the life of a person in rural Africa that is struggling each day to survive. Join me in the effort to carry this change forward in each day to come.
If you are not already actively supporting Water to Thrive as a “Friend,” then I ask that you become a Friend of Water to Thrive. When you become a Friend of W2T, you’ll receive news about our progress, invitations to special events, and more. Becoming a Friend is an automatic way of helping to change more lives through the gift of water. To become a Friend, simply refer to the end of this letter, detach/print the Friends Form and mail it back to us.
Thank you for supporting W2T. As we move through 2009, we have a few simple requests. We ask that you help us to continually be a voice for the world water crisis. We ask that you lift up our mission to others, pray for our project, get involved, and make a difference in the life of someone who needs your help.
With Hope and Gratitude,
Becky Turner
Program Director, Water to Thrive
July 10, 2009
A Month for Water to Thrive
Thank you Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Irving for dedicating an entire month to Water to Thrive! The youth of Holy Trinity not only learned about water conservation, they also learned the value of philanthropy. Each day, they collected “change for change” and raised over $500! Thanks for your hard work and for making a difference in the lives of people in need. Here’s to Holy Trinity!
June 21, 2009
Having good clean (water) fun!
Join Water to Thrive for our first fundraising event this Thursday at Lambert’s Downtown BBQ from 6:30-9 pm. In addition to great food and live music by Gary Clark, Jr, check out this sampling of auction items:
Laser Hair Removal from Belleza Med Spa
Golf at Riverplace Country Club
Houston Astros Tickets
Headshot from Martha Moring Photography
Dirty Dog Wash Passes
Design Consultation from 3 Fold Design
and..
A BOX OF BEER FROM SPEC’S!
Just to name a few.
Click on the “Purchase Tickets” tab above to buy your tickets today!
