Janie Ephland and Chris Crooke
STEPPING FORWARD IN WALK FOR WATER’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
story by JEANNE REYNOLDS photos courtesy of WALK FOR WATER
Chris Crooke and Janie Ephland probably had no idea of the floodgates they were about to open when they joined the effort to get the fledgling Beaufort County Walk for Water off the ground 10 years ago. But what started as a trickle of interest has gradually grown into a deluge of support for arguably one of the most important humanitarian efforts worldwide: access to clean, safe water.
Beaufort County Walk for Water promotes awareness of the global water crisis and raises money to provide sustainable, safe water for the two billion people around the world who don’t enjoy a necessity most of us take for granted. All money raised benefits Water Mission, a nonprofit Christian engineering organization based in Charleston that builds safe water and sanitation solutions in developing countries and disaster areas.
Chris, a Dataw Island resident and member of the missions committee at Sea Island Presbyterian Church, had seen firsthand the struggles of people in developing countries to obtain water during her career in the travel industry. When she first heard about a new community effort to help bring water to people in developing countries, she wanted to know more.
“My husband and I went to Water Mission’s main facility in North Charleston,” she recalls. “It was a very emotional trip for me as I learned about the countries and people being helped. Someone dies of a water-related illness every 37 seconds and the women and children walked an average of 3 miles every day to obtain water — often unsanitary water. Once Water Mission brings innovative engineering technology to their community, these women can now work and earn money to help support their families, and the children can attend school once more.”
And the water crisis isn’t just an “over there” problem, Chris points out. Water Mission was one of the first organizations on the ground when Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina, and following a devastating ice storm in Houston.
Janie, meanwhile, had recently moved to Port Royal to be near family following a 37-year career as an educator in Fort Worth, Texas, when a friend on the first Walk for Water planning team recruited her. She came on board as a walk captain, building a team to participate in the walk and raise money, then quickly joined the planning committee and has “been part of this amazing group ever since,” she says. “Walk for Water brings the community together. The energy of walking with friends and strangers is hard to explain — it’s magical.”
A decade later, Chris and Janie are still part of the team organizing this growing effort. The event has evolved into two walks, one in Port Royal and one in Bluffton to reach county residents, businesses and churches on each side of the Broad River. These walks have raised more than $600,000 in their first nine years, and hope to celebrate this year’s 10th anniversary by adding another $100,000 to the coffers.
Even better, all walkers can join the 10th anniversary celebration for free. Plus, those who register at walkforwater.com/beaufort by Aug. 18 and raise or donate at least $25 will receive a free T-shirt.
“This year’s walks will be a great celebration for all who’ve walked in the past and will once again join their families, friends and co-workers, taking the time to feel what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes for something we take for granted,” Chris says.
And thanks to Port Royal’s cadre of “water ubers,” participants who can’t manage the 3-mile stroll don’t even have to walk to be part of the event.
“Because Port Royal is a golf cart community, my friends and neighbors volunteer each year to shuttle anyone who needs a ride to the Sands and back,” Janie says. “Some neighbors volunteer every year because they don’t want to miss this event, and we now have walkers who request the same driver year after year. We even pick up a 96-year-old participant at his car and drive him to the Sands.”
“I believe the saying, ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’ and I believe we’re all given much,” Janie continues. “Walk for Water is one of the easiest ways to give back. It requires so little, yet it makes a tremendous difference. If you believe in community, have two hours on a Saturday morning to take a stroll down to the Sands Beach, and want to make a difference, there’s no easier way to give back than Walk for Water. Once you experience it, you’ll be hooked.”
BEAUFORT COUNTY WALK FOR WATER
What: 3-mile walk to raise awareness and money for access to safe, clean water in communities around the world through Water Mission. Participants can carry a bucket of water on part of the walk to symbolize the difficult, often dangerous journey millions of women and children in developing countries make daily to collect water — often contaminated — for their drinking, cooking and washing.
When and where: 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal and Saturday, Oct. 3 at Bluffton United Methodist Church
COST: Participation is free! Register at walkforwater.com/beaufort by Aug. 18 and raise or donate at least $25 to receive a free T-shirt.
More info: Learn more and register at walkforwater.com/beaufort or call (843) 769-7395.
Follow: On Facebook and Instagram
@BeaufortWalkforWater, Twitter #bftwalkforwater.
Sponsorship information: Contact Bob Burroughs at (404) 213-5513 or
burrou_bob@bellsouth.net.
