Walk for Water

Hits Record Highs

story by JEANNE REYNOLDS                            photos by PAUL NURNBERG

Beaufort County residents from both sides of the Broad River laced up their walking shoes and banded together to raise a record $84,000 in the 7th Annual Beaufort County Walk for Water to fight the global water crisis.

Participants met at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal and Wright Family Park in Bluffton, carrying buckets for about three miles to symbolize the daily walk millions of women and children in developing countries make to collect water that’s often contaminated. The event raises money for Water Mission, a Charleston-based Christian engineering organization that builds sustainable, safe water solutions in developing countries and disaster areas.

Even more important than the number of registered walkers — also a historic high at 715 — and the money raised is what those efforts achieve: a life-changing difference for people in desperate need of clean, safe water for a year.

“We all woke up this morning not wondering where we’d get water to drink and if it would be safe. Two billion people worldwide can’t say that,” Mary Howell, Water Mission’s senior director of community involvement, told the crowd gathered in Port Royal. “Every 37 seconds, someone loses their life because of water. The work we’re doing here together will change nearly 2,000 lives.”
David Foland of Port Royal said he’s participated in the Walk for Water for the past three years. “It’s so important to get water to people who don’t have it. It’s one of the basics of life. We have water, and the rest of the world needs it too.”

Kathy Wiles of Beaufort is another three-year veteran of the Walk. “It means so much to have clean, fresh water,” she said. “I love all the support from people who come out and do this.”
Megan Cook said she’s been traveling from Savannah for the Walk since 2018. “I always come. It means a lot to me. I’m a water engineer, so providing clean water and sharing the love of Jesus are my two favorite things.”

It’s not too late to help. For more information or to donate, visit the website at walkforwater.com/beaufortco or call (843) 769-7395.