Taking on different roles as they moved through various stations, participants in Escalon’s first ‘Walk for Water’ event learned how hard it is to haul water for everyday use when you can’t just turn on the tap and have it at your disposal.
Hosted by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Escalon High School, the event was staged Saturday at the EHS football field, participants walking or running laps around the track for pledges and also taking part in exercises designed to show how people in other countries have to work for their water.
“We would have loved to have had a better turnout, but we are happy for the people who came out and supported the cause,” said coordinator Kim Rigg of this initial effort. “We will plan another one in the spring. We raised $975, so we are a fourth of the way to a new well for the village in Uganda.”
The FCA hopes to finance the new well and will use the spring event to bolster the donations.
There were some prizes available at the event as well, said Rigg.
“Gabby Albor completed the most laps at 45. That’s 11.25 miles,” she explained. “We had over six people complete nine miles or more.”
Albor received a $50 gift certificate from Pizza Plus for doing the most laps during the 9 a.m. to noon event.
“Mary Adams raised the most money and turned in $170,” Rigg added. “For her effort, she received a $50 gift certificate from Pizza Plus also.”
Student participants agreed the experience was eye-opening and the event was well worth it.
“It gives you insight into how people in third world countries that don’t have clean water go through,” said junior Danielle Lawrence.
“I didn’t realize it would be so difficult,” agreed junior Rebecca Taggart of one of the stations, where the group had to run in place while holding several gallons of water. “We only had to do it a few minutes; they have to go through this every day.”
Lawrence added that it was tough enough for four teenage girls to accomplish the task together, let alone thinking of a young child in that position.
“We could barely do it, and in those countries, six-year-old girls do this all the time.”
Rigg said walkers, joggers and runners ended up learning a lot and contributing to a good cause.
“We appreciate the support and this is the first fundraiser that FCA has planned,” Rigg said. “We especially thank Mr. (Chris) Oliveira as the FCA advisor on campus and the high school for letting us use their facilities.”
