Walk 4 Water—

Fundraiser, Educational Event At FFH Will Have Far-Reaching Effects

By Shannon Hicks

David Plaue believes that it is every person’s right to have access to clean drinking water.

The Newtown resident has been so affected by recent fundraising efforts for Drink Water To Give Water that about three months ago he left his former career in sales and moved into the nonprofit world to follow this belief. Today Mr Plaue is an employee for DigDeep Water, a Los Angels-based human rights organization that defends the human right to water for all people, and is hoping Newtown and other residents of the region will join him next month for a one-day event.

“We go by a rights-based approach: everyone has a basic right to water,” Mr Plaue said of DigDeep. Partnerships are set up with other organizations to do the drilling and education in places like the Sudan, where new wells are dug and residents are taught better sanitation and hygiene “and all that entails with new wells and fresh water,” said Mr Plaue, who remains on the East Coast but hopes to visit project sites in a few years.

“I know the issue,” he said. “For me, it’s all about the fundraising.”

An event called Walk 4 Water will take place at Fairfield Hills on Saturday, October 20, rain or shine. A three-mile walk around the campus — representing the average distance women and children in Africa typically must walk each day in order to retrieve water — will have participants experiencing both the distance walked and the weight of water once it is obtained. During the first half of the walk participants will be empty handed, and then during the second half walkers will be carrying two two-liter bottles filled with water.

“Walkers can carry they water any way they want on their bodies for 1.5 miles,” said Mr Plaue, whose new job title is inspiration officer. “This is a fundraising but also educational event for people to experience one aspect of water poverty.”

Children and those unable to walk the full distance or unable to carry the full weight of the water will still be welcomed, Mr Plaue said. Attendees can register and begin fundraising in advance, register that morning, or even attend without participating in the walk.

Registration will open at 8:30, and the walk will begin at 9:30. Mr Plaue expects the full walk to take 60–90 minutes for most people. He is hoping the walk will appeal to students, and has already heard from teachers at local high schools — including Chase Collegiate in Waterbury, where he recently spoke to students who had just finished reading, interestingly enough, A Walk For Water; and members of Newtown High School’s Global Voice group — who plan to organize groups for October. Western Connecticut State University anthropology students may also show up en masse, he has been told by one professor.

Those who would like to register in advance are invited to contact Mr Plaue for fundraising forms. Walkers can begin contacting friends, family, employers, co-workers, et al, immediately to begin gaining pledges and sponsors, he said. Mr Plaue can be reached at 203-744-9173 or david@DigDeepWater.org.

“Twenty dollars essentially provides clean water, for life, for one person,” he said.

It would be helpful, said Mr Plaue, if walkers bring with them their own empty two-liter bottles. Organizers will have water available with which to fill the bottles for carrying water. Walkers should also bring something to help them carry the water (backpack, gym bag, etc).

“Walkers should plan to carry their water on their bodies,” he said, “not wheel it. You will be carrying your water in your backpack, in your hands, on your head, in a bag, or over your shoulder.”

Plastic drinking water bottles (16-ounce bottles, for instance) should be left at home. Refillable bottles are welcomed, but not single-use recyclable bottles.

“One of the ideas behind this event is to also focus on our renewable resources,” said Mr Plaue. “We will have filtered water available, and reusable containers including single-serve reusable bottles that can be used 200 or 300 times before they need to be replaced. There is a large educational aspect to this,” he said.

Wear comfortable walking shoes, and appropriate clothing for the weather. The event — like life for those who have to walk for their water daily — will occur rain or shine. Walkers are welcome to bring snacks with them (food will not be provided), and all are being asked to clean up after themselves.

 A short reception will follow the walk so that walkers can meet exhibiting sponsors and also share in a short discussion about water poverty around the world.

Businesses that have signed on to help sponsor the Walk 4 Water, as of September 19, are Associated Refuse, Aqua Environmental, Buck A Plan Reprographics, Caraluzzi’s Market, Chase Collegiate School, Tim Conlan Co. Plumbing, Club NewFit, Crossfit RedZone, Figs Wood Fired Bistro, Lawn Doctor of Newtown, The Little Gym of Newtown, Newtown Color Center, Newtown Pharmacy & Surgical, NuGo Nutrition, Preferred Insurance, and Sabrina Style.

DigDeep Water is a nonprofit company that plans and funds water access projects, like wells, for people who do not have clean water. It is a small company, with about ten employees who think big, and think on an international scale.

“We do innovative education to change the way people think about water and sanitation,” said Mr Plaue, who is available to speak to groups interested in learning more about DigDeep Water and/or Walk 4 Water. Call or e-mail him to set up an appearance, or to make a direct donation to the Walk 4 Water effort.

DigDeep Water follows a 100 percent model, meaning all public donations and fundraising efforts go directly to the well projects.

“Employee salaries and administrative costs are funded by a private group called The Water Council. These are people who also believe, strongly, in our mission and support our efforts,” he said.

“This means something to me,” he said. “We’re not giving things away. We are just trying to give people something they deserve access to.

“Human rights, health care, and economics … it’s all affected by water,” he continued. “If a woman doesn’t have to walk three to five hours a day just to get clean water for her family, she can work. And when she works, she can support her family.

“It’s so much more than health. And it’s so fulfilling to know you can have an incredible affect on someone else’s life.”

Still Drinking Water To   Give Water

Meanwhile, Mr Plaue is concurrently running his second Drink Water To Give Water campaign. More than 20 restaurants and other locations around town have agreed to host one-gallon milk or water jugs, where customers can donate $1 or more for the glasses of water that are placed on tables for guests of eating establishments. Other locations have simply agreed to host a container, even if they do not serve food.

“My hope is that [diners] will chip in at the participating restaurants when [they] go out to eat,” said Mr Plaue. “When many people help just a little, a large impact is made.”

Containers have been placed at the following locations, all in Newtown: Bagel Delight, Blue Colony Diner, Burgerittoville, Carminuccio’s, Club NewFit, DOrazio Sisters Bakery, Franco’s Pizza, Fun Kuts, King’s Restaurant, McGuire’s Ale House, Mexicali Rose, and My Place Restaurant.

Also, Newtown Deli, Newtown Hardware, Newtown Youth Academy, Pizza Palace, PJ’s Laundromat, Pub 25 Grille, Sandy Hook Deli, Stone River Grille, Subway (in Sandy Hook Center), Sweet Mango’s, Tambascio’s Italian Grill, Tumble Jungle, Village Square Diner, and Villarina’s.

In addition, Mr Mac’s Canteen in Monroe is also helping Mr Plaue’s campaign.

Last year’s first Drink Water To Give Water campaign raised just shy of $7,000, which was donated to Charity:Water and used to help fund the digging of a well in Tingray, Ethiopia.