Fox Valley residents can walk to help provide clean drinking water
When it comes to changing the world, every small step counts, says Bill Klaves, associate director for Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley.
That's the idea behind the organization's 25th annual Walk-A-Thon Feb. 28 at Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee. The event will raise funds for providing clean drinking water in Guatemala.
This is the first year the Walk-A-Thon will support Habitat for Humanity's global mission.
Klaves said $75 can buy a filtration unit that can be attached to an individual house.
More than 4,000,000 Guatemalans live in rural areas without access to potable water. Five of the top 20 causes of death can be related to water contamination, yet only 3 percent of the population regularly uses water filters, according to Habitat for Humanity.
"It would allow families in rural communities to have safe, drinkable water," Klaves said.
The Walk-A-Thon is open to participants of all ages, but mostly attracts students from Elgin, Streamwood, Jacobs and Fremd high schools.
"We get kind of a broad range of high schools that come out," Klaves said. "We think this is a way to kind of broaden peoples' perspective. We want to give young people (the message) they can really make an impact for a smaller amount of money in some of these countries. We can only take youth on our job sites starting at 16 years. This gives us an opportunity to reach additional people who may not be able to work on our job site."
Participation has grown over the years with local churches, community organizations and corporate sponsors coming out. Roughly 150 walkers are expected.
Walkers will spend from 8 to 10 a.m. completing laps around the mile-circuit inside before the mall opens. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Participants can donate themselves or get pledges for each mile they intend to walk.
"We typically raise $5,000," Klaves said.
Funds raised in previous years have been used to purchase building supplies for partner families in Carpentersville, Elgin, and surrounding communities.
Since 1992, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley has given more than $410,000 to international partners, including $80,000 to Habitat Guatemala since 2011. This year's proceeds will go toward purchasing water filters for more than 50 families through Habitat Guatemala's Clean Water Project.
"We look forward to expanding our partnership with Habitat for Humanity Guatemala," said Barbara Beckman, Northern Fox Valley executive director. "We have been tithing to Habitat Guatemala since July 2011, and will be completing our fourth Global Village trip to Guatemala this spring. Our Walk-A-Thon is an annual way for volunteers of all ages to contribute to our mission. Through this year's walk, we will be able to raise awareness and funds for families outside our own backyards and truly contribute to a world where everyone has a decent, healthy place to live."
To register as a walker and fundraise for this project, call (847) 836-432, email olivia.vlahos@habitatnfv.org, or visit firstgiving.com/HabitatNFV/walk-a-thon-2015.