Water Heroes
Be a Water Hero. Help bring clean water to people who do not already have it. Join forces with Water For People.
Keep us informed on your efforts and you'll be featured on KnowH2O.
Here are just a few examples of kids who became Water Heroes by using their creativity to help raise money and awareness of the water crisis in the world.
River Bennett — Our Water Hero
River Bennett, a high school student from Nantucket, MA is known throughout his community for his philanthropic efforts. He is also famous in the PlayPumps community -- in March, he was given the “Hero Award” for his efforts to bring clean drinking water to those in need. By working with local businesses and community groups, as well as organizing a swimathon at his high school, River is helping people connect with water issues at home, and in turn helping Africans access clean drinking water. Just last month, after a year long effort, River surpassed his goal and successfully raised enough money for a PlayPump water system. River says about his huge milestone, “I'm ready to get started on the next one!” We are all inspired by River's commitment to those in need.
Palo Alto Kids — Fashion for Change
The student-run Model Citizen Club, at Palo Alto Senior High School, has one primary goal in mind: to use unconventional methods to raise money for charity. This year, their focus was to have a fashion show and raise money for safe water. Displaying not only clothes lent by local boutiques, but also designs from students in the club, this allowed the students to express their creativity in an innovative way and at the same time, contribute to the mission of PlayPumps International. Along with this fashion show, the Club designed shirts to sell at their school and they acquired local sponsors.
To read more, click here: www.modelcitizenclub.com.
Josh Dozoretz — How Coming of Age Makes a Difference
In Judaism, the Bar Mitzvah ceremony marks the coming of age of a young man in his faith. One such young man, Josh Dozoretz, included PlayPumps International in his Bar Mitzvah earlier this year and in doing so, has positively impacted the lives of children and families in two African communities.
After learning about the importance of clean water and the global water crisis at a school assembly, Josh decided he needed to do his part to somehow help provide water to people who really needed it. Josh and his family heard about PlayPumps International and the merry-go-round water pump through friends, and he decided he wanted to support our mission. Because of the generosity of friends and family members, Josh contributed enough funds to donate two PlayPump water systems to communities in sub-Saharan Africa. He also helped spread the word about PlayPumps International and the world water crisis, making a positive impact as he grows in his faith.
St. Ann's Academy — Youth Art Creates Awareness
The fifth grade art class at St. Ann's Academy was given the challenge to recreate a photo through a collage of different patterns and colors. Under the guidance of their art teacher, Heidi Bittman, the students each designed and created their own strips of paper. When the strips were all pasted together what took shape was two beautiful pieces - one is children playing on a PlayPump water system, and the second is an image of two women carrying water. The class donated the art to PlayPumps International and it now stands on display in the PPI offices. This wonderful art is a symbol of the creative and resourceful way children have embraced safe water as a cause.
Jewish Community Youth Groups — DC and Northern California
We have had the good fortune to work with many youth who have used new and creative ways to not only fundraise, but to also communicate to their peers and communities the impact clean water has on health, gender equality and economic development. Recently, PlayPumps International received contributions from a few youth groups who have taken one traditional model of philanthropy, and made it their own.
The Jewish Youth Philanthropy Institute of Washington, DC, the South Peninsula Jewish Community Teen Foundation, and the Marin Jewish Community Teen Foundation are each made up of high school students who raise money to donate to organizations of their choice. Each group holds regular board meetings led by their members to review, select, and vet potential grantees. The recipients were chosen by consensus vote, and each group selected several organizations as grantees. PlayPumps International will receive a combined $27,000 from the three groups.
Catherine Lipsher, a member of the Jewish Youth Philanthropy Institute in Washington, explained that her group first reviewed PlayPumps International for its environmental impact, but went on to say “what we loved about the organization is that it provides so much more than environmental aid.” Their board was focused on funding organizations in three issue areas: environment, self-sufficiency, and education. Catherine said “we were amazed that one organization worked towards helping all three of these international issues.”
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