GRW's WaterStep fundraiser not only was a success, it was educational and inspiring. Having WaterStep's Tomara Brown (above left) visit our office to give us a hands-on introduction to the organization's water disaster kits was an invaluable highlight.For two weeks in November, GRW employees learned things about water purification from the point of view of those affected by disaster, including Puerto Ricans recovering from this year’s hurricane season.
Our goal during those two weeks was to raise enough money to purchase two disaster water kits from WaterStep, a Louisville-based organization that trains people in developing countries how to use safe water solutions like water chlorination, bleach making, health education, and well repair, to take care of their own water needs.
We kicked off the week with an educational session led by WaterStep's Tomara Brown, director of new initiatives. The session included a first-hand opportunity to see some of the water purification equipment.
Each of WaterStep's water disaster kits contains specially designed equipment giving communities the capacity to purify more than 10,000 gallons of water per day. In a disaster situation it is recommended that each person have at least one gallon of safe drinking water per day.
In addition to its employees, GRW was proud to have several other organizations come together to raise nearly $20,000, enough to purchase and provide five WaterStep disaster kits. Generous donations were made by AWWA and by Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN.
According to WaterStep reports, in early December, their staff "delivered 56 more units and began more training events with disaster response workers, medical facilities and non-profit organizations on the ground. WaterStep expects dozens of additional units to be delivered over the next weeks. This will be over and above the mission of the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Areizaga, and her goal that WaterStep make it possible for all 78 of Puerto Rico's municipalities to have access to at least one of these disaster kits."
Visit the WaterStep website to learn more: https://waterstep.org/