Registration Open for Beaufort Walk for Water

Hundreds of participants expected to join virtual walk Sept. 26

Registration is now open for the fourth Annual Beaufort Walk for Water. This year’s virtual walk will make it easier for people across the community and far beyond to participate where they feel comfortable and still be part of the larger group effort to provide safe water to those in need, according to Robert Lasher, Beaufort Walk for Water committee chair.

“Everything is different this year, so the Walk needs to be different, too,” Lasher said. “A virtual walk encourages participants to walk in smaller groups with fewer people around them. Ideally everyone will walk on Sept. 26, but virtual teams can be flexible on their date. We already have teams planning to walk in Battery Point, on Dataw and in Cottage Farms, and that’s just a start.”

Registered walkers can walk a 3-mile route of their choice individually or as part of a team with family, friends and neighbors. Teams are encouraged to share about their walk on social media. New for this year is a virtual walk toolkit available on Walk for Water’s registration site at bit.ly/Bftwalk20 and on the @BeaufortWalkForWater social media channels.

“By following us on social media, walkers can take advantage of fundraising ideas, playlists on Spotify, share walk route suggestions and take part in various giveaways, no matter where they are,” said Camilla Pagliaroli, Walk publicity coordinator. “We want to make it fun to be part of the Walk community this year with new ideas for children’s activities and a ‘Fill Your Bucket’ challenge on Instagram.”

All preregistered walkers will receive a T-shirt to pick up the week leading up to the Walk. Details on pick-up times and locations will be available on the registration site. Participants must register by Aug. 29 to be guaranteed their preferred shirt size.

Participants who sign up quickly also will double their impact, thanks to a $12,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor. They’ll also be eligible for fundraising and sign-up incentives, as well as drawing prizes including coffee makers and spa treatments donated by local businesses. In addition, the first 20 out-of-state walkers to register will receive Beaufort Walk for Water caps.
Beaufort 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 Charleston-based Christian engineering organization that builds safe water solutions in developing countries and disaster areas.

Walkers are encouraged to carry a bucket of choice during their walk to serve as a reminder of the walk millions of women and children in developing countries make daily to collect water that’s often contaminated. Around 50% of hospital beds in the developing countries are filled with people suffering from water-related illnesses, and every 37 seconds someone dies.

“We’re creating a fun and safe opportunity for everyone to participate and we hope hundreds of people will join this community-wide effort again this year,” Lasher said. “The impact of what we’re able to generate as a group for the work of Water Mission will make a significant difference in many people’s lives.”

In response to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, Water Mission is bringing urgently needed safe water and hygiene solutions to under-resourced communities in developing nations. This includes providing safe water and hand-washing stations in refugee settlements, health care facilities, schools, and prisons.

“We’re told to wash our hands with soap and water several times a day as a first line of defense against Covid-19. But imagine if your hospital, town or house didn’t even have access to running water?” Lasher said. “As little as $35 can provide one person safe water for life. Latrine sanitation for a community averages $500, and solar panels to power an average-sized water system costs about $1,000.”

For more information, to register or donate, visit the Walk for Water registration site at bit.ly/Bftwalk20 or call 843-769-7395. For sponsorship information, contact Robert Lasher at 843-906-8118. Follow on Facebook and Instagram @BeaufortWalkforWater, and Twitter @BftWalkforWater.