Climb for Water Aims to Raise $20,000 for Water and Sanitation

August 22, 2011
By Amelia Gingold

Denver, CO (PRWEB) August 22, 2011 - On August 29, four climbers will begin a 19,340-foot trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa in an effort raise money for Water For People, an international nonprofit organization that supports the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education programs throughout the world. The expedition – dubbed the Climb for Water – aims to raise one dollar for every foot they reach in elevation as a group, with an overall goal of almost $20,000.

“We are so grateful for Climb for Water’s commitment to Water For People, and their support will go a long way in helping us achieve our mission of bringing clean and safe water supplies and adequate sanitation conditions to everyone, regardless of where they live,” said Water For People’s CEO Ned Breslin. “Community organizations’ support of Water For People is so integral to our success, and this contribution will have a tremendous impact on the areas in which we work to alleviate the global water crisis.”

Climb for Water was founded by Kraig Kern and Scott Whalen, two friends who always had a dream to climb one of the world’s tallest mountains. They created Climb for Water to convert their shared desire into an opportunity to save lives and eradicate the global water crisis. Kern and Whalen, who both work at WK Dickson & Co., Inc., will be joined by Tasha Lewis, a project manager and hydrologist at CH2M HILL and Kary Kern, a nuclear specialist for Duke Energy in SC. Kraig Kern is also a member of the North Carolina committee of Water For People.

“This effort is the perfect fit for what we are passionate about,” said Kraig Kern. “A climb on Kilimanjaro will challenge us physically, mentally and spiritually – but it is well worth it if we have reached enough people to make a real difference. This isn't a vacation. It's a life-saving journey.”

ABOUT WATER FOR PEOPLE
Water For People is a non-profit international development organization dedicated to helping people in developing countries gain access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation. Water For People’s entrepreneurial approach establishes partnerships between local and national governments, nongovernment organizations, private enterprise, and entrepreneurs to create self-managed safe water and sanitation services that last over time. Water For People works to reach everyone with sustainable services in the areas where it operates and monitors development for at least 10 years post project completion. To learn more, visit http://www.waterforpeople.org or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT CLIMB FOR WATER
Climb for Water is a wholly grassroots organization dedicated to raising awareness and financial assistance for the water and sanitation crisis facing this planet in a truly unique way. It was started by engineers and is a natural fit to the mission of Water for People. To learn more, visit http://www.climbforwater.org or follow the climbing team’s progress on Facebook.