MAKE YOUR SPLASH; GET INVOLVED.  

Ely Kleinsmith is a typical 8-year old boy: he is involved in boy scouts and sports; he enjoys music and video games.  He has also taken on safe drinking water as his mission, raising funds for thousands of his peers living in developing countries around the world.  At such a young age, Ely recognizes the ability that we all have to create change for those around the world right in our own back yards.

IF ELY CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU! Ely recommends the following ways to become involved in your community this World Water Day…

·        SKIP A COFFEE (or a juice/soda/tea). Those prices at the local grinder are starting to grind on your pocket book, so why not put your coins to better use and donate them to an organization that provides safe drinking water? (Any of the collaborating partners are great examples.)  Encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same, and you’ve become a fundraiser in your own right.

·        WATER PARTY! World Water Day is a celebration at its core, so why not celebrate both the importance and necessity of clean water – host a clean drinking water party at your home or local community center.  Ely hosts pool parties at his home each summer, raising awareness about the issue.  Use your voice to spread the word, and have fun while doing so!

·        EDUCATE. Tired of just reading about the issues?  Wish more people in your community understood the clean drinking water issue and its complex causes?  Host a lecture series at your local library, community center, high school, place of worship, or university.  You can email any of the partners for help with materials.  Until people understand the issue at its core, people will continue to live without clean drinking water.

·        GET CREATIVE. Think outside the box and let your creative juices flow.  From lemonade stands to bigger events, there are creative ways to raise awareness and funds for safe drinking water initiatives.  Ely created Christmas ornaments to sell in his community…with proceeds going to water treatment solutions for people in developing countries.  His idea took him all the way to Kohl’s, where his most recent design was sold last holiday season! 

IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE…