Walking for water

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HURON — The First Presbyterian Church in Huron has signed up to be the host site for the World Vision annual Global 6K Walk for Water, which will take place with registration from 8 to 9 a.m. on Saturday at the picnic shelter located at Putters and Scoops, followed by the walk.
Deb VanOverschelde, Senior High Youth Leader explained, “It’s a 6K walk because that’s the average distance that a family walks in an undeveloped country to get fresh water, often that water is still contaminated but it is the best water they can get.”
This is an event where the community can come together to walk, run or stroll around the lake, and make a difference in the world.
“For every $50 we raise, that supplies fresh water for a child for a whole year,” VanOverschelde said. “That was pretty amazing to me that $50 goes that far for them.”
People come together each year across the U.S. and beyond to raise money and awareness for such a necessary cause in areas where water is unavailable.

“This is the first time I have done the Global 6K Walk for Water,” VanOverschelde explained. “It came to our church as an invitation, they were looking for a local church to host the event. My son, Brandon and I direct the youth group together, and we try to do a mission every year.
“Traveling somewhere was not a good option this year, so when this came along I thought ‘This is perfect.’ It’s something we can do for other people right here at home,” VanOvershelde added.
Last year the youth group bought goats and chickens for families in third world countries to provide them with food as their Christmas mission.
“It’s something we take for granted, we don’t realize how other people don’t even have fresh water, VanOverschelde said. “It takes two hours, and we can make a lot of difference in those two hours. You can run, walk, bring the kids and strollers; there are no regulations.”
Those who are unable to participate in the walk may also make donations to the cause online, plus World Vision offers many ways for people to become involved in global development.
“World Vision gives a lot of things that money can be raised for. One of the things I just read about the other day was they had available toothbrushes, toothpaste and personal items that people don’t have,” VanOverschelde explained. “When we’ve gone on missions we’ve always packed personal items to hand out, and people are so appreciative of these items. I think it’s great they can do these things for a lot of different people.”
The opportunity to help save lives by raising money and awareness by providing fresh water to those in need is right here in the community, and it’s true that a little can go a long way.  
“I also want people to know that they don’t have to register online, you can show up and register on the day and it’s just $5 a walker. So you can pay your $5 and walk, which is great, and if you raise money — that’s wonderful. Our goal is to raise as many $50 portions as we can for as many children as we can,” explained VanOverschelde. “If we get 30 people and raise $2,000 I’ll be happy. I like to dream big, I hope it is a success so we can do it again. I want people to know how easy it is to make a difference.”