Walk for Water
Beaufort Community Hits High-Water Mark
story by JEANNE REYNOLDS photos by PAUL NURNBERG
Hundreds of Beaufort County residents from both sides of the Broad River donned walking shoes — and in some cases, rain jackets — to raise a record $87,000 in the eighth annual Beaufort County Walk for Water in September.
Participants met September 14 at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal and Sepember 21 at Wright Family Park in Bluffton, carrying buckets for about three miles to symbolize the walk millions of women and children in developing countries make daily 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 where people are in desperate need of clean, safe water.
Debbie Slazyk of Beaufort said she’s participated in the Walk for Water several times because it makes a difference in people’s lives. “I Walk for Water because it’s a small charity that makes a big, life-changing impact in the communities it serves.”
“Water is essential for human life,” said Lynn Newsom of Bluffton. “It’s our responsibility as Christians to help others have clean, accessible water. If we love one another, we must take care of each other. I’m thankful to Water Mission for their wonderful work in helping people worldwide live better lives.”
Water Mission awarded the Beaufort County Walk for Water special recognition this year for its success even before the starting bell rang: In the past seven years, the walks have raised a combined total of more than $500,000, equating to providing clean water for life to more than 10,000 people.
“This is a huge milestone accomplishment for everyone who’s been associated with the Beaufort County Walk for Water, including our walkers, volunteers, and sponsors,” said Robert Lasher, walk chair.
It’s not too late to help. For more information about the Beaufort County Walk for Water or to donate, visit walkforwater.com/beaufort or call (843) 769-7395. Follow Beaufort County Walk for Water on Facebook and Instagram @BeaufortWalkforWater, and on Twitter #bftwalkforwater.
Thank you, Beaufort County Walk for Water Sponsors!
Platinum Sponsors
First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort
Sea Island Presbyterian Church
Gold Sponsors
Carteret Street United Methodist Church
The Pickard Trust
Silver Sponsors
Eugene Rugala & Associates
J.H. Hiers Construction
Lowcountry Presbyterian Church
Modern Jewelers
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Bronze Sponsors
Bluffton United Methodist Church
BOSS Orthopaedics
Campbell Chapel AME Church
Church of the Palms United Methodist Church
Court Atkins Group
Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips
Knights of Columbus
Southern Tree Services
Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Church
The Kitchen Gourmet Marketplace
Tidal Creek Fellowship
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort
Gift-In-Kind Sponsors
Acoustic Bridge
Beaufort Lifestyle Magazine
Capitol Coffee
Create with Camilla
Grounded Running
Lowcountry Weekly
Paul Nurnberg Photography
SK Signs, Designs & Marketing
St. John’s Lutheran Church
Walk Partner Sponsors
Ballenger Realty
Beach Bums Barbecue
Corrective Chiropractic
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Pickle Factory Design
About Water Mission
Since 2001, Water Mission has used innovative technology and engineering expertise to provide access to safe water for more than eight million people in 59 countries. Water Mission has 400 staff members working around the world in permanent country programs located in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and North, South, and Central America. Charity Navigator has awarded Water Mission its top four-star rating 15 years in a row, a distinction shared by less than 1% of the charities rated by the organization. Learn more at watermission.org.
