The reality of women and children lugging jugs for miles every day to get clean water in many countries around the world will be simulated at The University of Toledo this weekend.

Walk for Water is an annual fundraising event to increase Toledo’s awareness for the worldwide lack of access to clean water and to raise funds to help Clean Water for the World, an organization working to build, ship, install and maintain water purification units for people without clean water around the world. The organization provides the units at no cost to local communities in developing countries.

Walk for Water will start at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 17 on the UT Centennial Mall. Participants can begin checking in at 1:15 p.m. for the 5K run or walk.

During the past three years, the campaign has raised $31,000, purchasing 10 water units that have been placed in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Haiti.

“It is important to participate in Walk for Water because it promotes solidarity and awareness through experiential learning on The University of Toledo campus, allowing students, faculty and Toledo community members to advocate for clean water,” said Kristy Kagy, president of UT’s Catholic Student Association.

Participants are encouraged to carry jugs filled with water during the 5K to mimic the daily effort women and children in developing countries exert for clean water. A water carrying competition will be held during the event, in which the group that carries the greatest volume of water without backpacks or wheels wins. Pre-filled jugs will be available at the event.

Registration is $10 for students and $15 for adults and includes a Walk for Water button. T-shirts can be purchased for $8.

Register and donate online at firstgiving.com/cw4w/walk-for-water-toledo-2016.

Media Coverage
WTOL 11 (April 18, 2016)
13 ABC (April 18, 2016)