Walk for Water events set for Bluffton, Port Royal

The 10th annual Beaufort County Walk for Water will hold events Sept. 19 in Port Royal and Oct. 3 in Bluffton, with organizers hoping to raise $100,000 for Water Mission.

Registration is free this year for both events. The Sept. 19 walk will be held at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal, while the Oct. 3 event will take place at Bluffton United Methodist Church. Organizers expect about 1,000 participants between the two walks.

Money raised will benefit Water Mission, a Charleston-based Christian engineering nonprofit that provides water systems in developing countries and disaster areas.

During the 3-mile walk, participants can carry a bucket of water for part of the route to represent the distances traveled by women and children in developing countries to collect water.

“We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary this year by offering free registration for all participants,” Beaufort County Walk for Water committee leader Nan Krueger said. “This creates an opportunity for even more people to learn about the global water crisis, engage with Water Mission’s work, and raise money to support safe water solutions around the world.”

Walkers who register at walkforwater.com/beaufort by Aug. 18 and raise or donate at least $25 will receive a free T-shirt.

According to information provided by organizers, Water Mission has provided water systems in developing countries and disaster areas, including western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

The organization also reports that a person dies from a water-related illness every 37 seconds worldwide.

For more information, call 843-769-7395. Sponsorship information is available from Bob Burroughs at 404-213-5513 or burrou_bob@bellsouth.net.