A single donation of $0.50 can go a long way, as one
elementary school, working with Water For People, a Denver-based nonprofit
organization, proved in raising funds for clean drinking water in Central
America.
Water For People brings water and sanitation to 11 developing countries in
Asia, Africa, South and Central America.It seeks to ensure that people have access to safe
drinking water, and are free from sanitation-related disease. Water For People works with a variety
volunteers, businesses, schools and organizations to raise funds and awareness.
One example of such a group this year is the St. Mary’s School in Aliso Viejo, Calif., that
coordinated a fundraiser to help kids get access to clean drinking water in Central America. Craig Cullen, a parent of a child at the
school and a sales director with the ITT Corp., a global leader in the
transport and treatment of water, worked with Water For People and the teachers
of the school to do a presentation to the second- and third-grade classes about
the importance of clean drinking water. After his presentation, a second-grader
named Josette approached Cullen, offered him $0.50, and asked that her money go
to help children in need. Her donation inspired her schoolmates to start a
fundraiser.
“It was an eye opener for me to see so many children wanting to learn about the
concerns around water. I have presented the same message in various business
situations, but I have never had as many questions asked about what they could
do to help,” says Cullen.
The fundraiser was named “Project Isabella” after one of the students who was
born in Guatemala
and later adopted into an American family. During Cullen’s presentation,
Isabella shared her own emotional story of growing up in Central
America and the challenges she and other children like her faced.
In little time, the children from St. Mary’s School raised $594 to help others
have access to safe drinking water. The money will go to Water For People,
through ITT Watermark, the philanthropy arm of the ITT Corp., to ensure that
the children in developing countries benefit directly from the school’s hard
work.
Cullen says, “Do not underestimate the power of children. I would suggest that
all parents get involved with their children's schools and make a simple
presentation to educate the next generation. As I have found out, a simple 30
minutes and a little girl handing me $0.50 can turn into a lot of proud
children who are making change. And the best part is that children in totally
different countries will benefit the most.”