Page 20 - September 2019

passion for Water Mission. Bringing the charge of sponsorship and Jim heads up
Walk for Water to Beaufort was initially recruitment. Jim emphasizes, “My idea is
something that Jim wanted to see happen. to spread the net, to cast a larger net and
In 2017, that came to fruition with Beaufort’s not just harvest the church participants,
inaugural Walk for Water. but also our neighbors, co-workers, and
fellow Beaufortonians.” These two men,
“Every 37 seconds one along with many others, are passionate
person dies from water- about this mission and are looking forward
to the projected 400 walkers slated to
related illnesses…” come September 21st. Their goal: to raise
$50,000. Last October, Jim was able
Walk For Water to take a mission trip to Haiti with Water
In an act of solidarity for the millions Mission. While there, the group visited a
of women and children globally who walk small Haitian village called Figuier. Jim tells you even imagine what it would be like to,
more than 3 plus miles a day to get water, of how they were greeted by, “a dozen or day after day, put a glass of murky, muddy,
the Water Mission International Walk so children, accompanied by the villages bacteria-filled water to your lips to drink,
for Water raises awareness and funds to Water Systems Director.” The Director passing that same glass to your children?
provide long term, self-sustaining water thanked the group many times over and It’s a reality that most of us never pause
purification systems to developing countries went on to tell of how healthy the children to think about, even though it’s one of the
who have no clean water sources. This in the village were, that they no longer lived biggest global crisis’ to date. The first step to
year marks Beaufort's 3rd annual Walk for in fear of getting cholera. Jim also gave a taking action is awareness, and that is what
Water. On September 21st, a projected testimony about a hospital in Grand Passe, the 3rd Annual Beaufort Walk for Water is
500 plus people, divided into teams, will Haiti, “When we arrived in Grand Passe, providing, awareness. Now that you know,
gather together in Port Royal to support a we were taken to the local hospital. We show up on September 21 stand support
cause that is bigger than they can fathom. were astounded by the fact that the hospital this life-changing mission. If you can’t make
Registration will begin at 8am, the walk didn’t have clean water. Can you imagine, it, you can also go online and donate.
starts by 9. Teams have until the day of a hospital using dirty water?” The group Bob puts it like this, “This is one of the most
the walk to sign up. The cost is $20 for immediately inquired of Water Mission fulfilling things that I have ever been a part
adults, $10 for youth, age 6 and under are concerning the allocation of funds raised of. One of the most rewarding aspects about
free. Participants will each grab a bucket by the 2018 Walk for Water, “We wanted it is the fact that it has really turned into a fun,
provided and begin the mile and a half to know if we could allocate 100% of the community event. Everyone comes together
designated route through the streets of Port funds raised at the 2018 Beaufort Walk to to gains an understanding of what it’s like for
Royal. Walkers will end up at The Sands, providing a purification system to the people these people, but they are there with friends,
where the Port Royal Fire Department will be of Grand Passe and the hospital. They said, and kids, and pets. A community of people
there to fill the buckets with water. According ‘of course!’ I am happy to say, the 2018 coming together to make a difference in
to Jim, “They will fill the buckets as full as you Beaufort Walk for Water fully funded the these people’s lives forevermore.”
want or feel comfortable carrying for the rest project in Grand Passe and the hospital For more information about the Beaufort
of the mile and a half walk.” there now has clean water.” Walk for Water and Water Missions, or
Robert Lasher and Jim Pickard are Water is a basic resource that, here in to donate visit events.watermissions.org/
co-chairs for this year’s Walk. Robert is in the United States, is taken for granted. Could beaufort19

20 September 2019 | BeaufortLifestyle.com