Quad Cities, Iowa/Illinois?Unclean water is the leading cause of death in undeveloped nations. Such dirty, unsanitary water kills 45,000 people each week, 90 percent of them being children under the age of five. That means 4,500 children die each day to water-related illnesses. The numbers are grim, the facts are startling...but thankfully, a growing group of Iowans believe there is hope.
Water for Christmas, a grassroots effort born in Iowa, is on a mission to ensure that all people have access to clean water. Specifically focused on the nation of Liberia, Water for Christmas offers people an opportunity to trade consumerism for compassion during the holidays and beyond. Since its inception in November 2008, Water for Christmas has raised $325,000 for the organization charity: water and has inspired people all over the country to action.
This Saturday night, a "Wine to Water" fundraising event will take place at the third floor of the Redstone Building in downtown Davenport. Event organizer, Tesi Klipsch, says that the Wine to Water party is all about what individuals can do in working toward a solution for a global issue. "If you come, you'll see people you've seen in the community?at the Y, at the grocery store, at restaurants?who have found something they are passionate about. The party will have a very underground, grassroots type of feel, which we love because that's just how Water for Christmas started."
Last year the "Wine to Water" event raised $13,000 from a small group of individuals. This year, Klipsch is hoping to reach out to people who haven't heard just how extensive the water crisis is around the world. "We are asking the public to come join us, hear a little about why we're doing this and have some fun while they're at it. Local wine by Wide River Winery, local desserts by some of the best in our community and local musicians like Lojo Russo and the BE Project make this evening the perfect event to bring what is global, local," she says.
Based in New York, charity: water is a highly recognized organization that has raised over 10 million dollars in the last four years, changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of people by building fresh-water wells in places that are without. Charity: water takes 100 percent of all donations directly to water solution projects and follows up with proof...pictures and Google earth coordinates of all completed projects.
Event details:
Saturday, November 13th, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
3rd floor Redstone Building, 2nd and Main, Downtown Davenport
Music by Lojo Russo and The BE Project, local wine and dessert tasting
$20 minimum donation at door
