County-wide event aims to raise $75,000 for clean, safe water

Registration is now open for the sixth annual Beaufort County Walk for Water at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal and Wright Family Park in Bluffton.

Beaufort County Walk for Water promotes awareness of the global water crisis while raising money to provide sustainable, safe water around the world. All money raised benefits Water Mission, a nonprofit Christian engineering organization based in Charleston that builds safe water solutions in developing countries and disaster areas.

The walk is returning to two large community events — one on each side of the Broad River — after two years of being held “virtually” as dozens of small group walks across Beaufort County.

“Walk for Water continued to be successful during the past two pandemic years, thanks to the commitment of local residents, sponsors and volunteers,” said Robert Lasher, Beaufort County Walk for Water committee chair. .“But we know being able to once again gather together as a community will create incredible energy for this important cause.”

Participants can register on the Walk for Water website at walkforwater.com/beaufortco. All preregistered participants get a free T-shirt and those registered by Aug. 13 are guaranteed their preferred size.

Participants will be encouraged to carry a bucket of water on part of a 3-mile walk to symbolize the burden millions of women and children in developing countries carry daily to collect water that’s often contaminated. That unsafe water has dire consequences: a person dies from water-related illness every 37 seconds somewhere in the world, according to Water Mission.

“As little as $25 can provide one person safe water for life,” Lasher said. “$500 can create latrine sanitation for a community, and just over $1,000 can build solar panels for a power source.”

Last year’s walk attracted more than 500 registered walkers and raised more than $60,000. Organizers hope this year’s walk with attract 750 participants and raise $75,000 through registration fees, sponsorships and donations.

“We’re hoping a record number of people will help us ‘pick up the bucket’ this year,” Lasher added.

For more information, to register or donate, visit the website at walkforwater.com/beaufortco or call 843-769-7395. For sponsorship information, contact Lasher at 843-906-8118 or rlasher5519@gmail.com.

CUTLINE: Members of last year’s Pigeon Point neighborhood team. This year, Walk For Water will be two large community events again.