13th Annual Walking for Water Fundraiser to Be Held May 7th, 2016 in Leesburg, VA

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

CONTACT: Susan Hough (703) 505-5152

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Leesburg, VA— The 13th Annual Walking for Water fundraiser will be held Saturday, May 7th, at 8:30 a.m., at Morven Park’s Equestrian Center, 41793 Tutt Lane.

Walking for Water, a project of Wisdom Spring, Inc. is supported by students from Heritage High School, Tuscarora High School and Stonebridge High School in Leesburg, and raises money to dig wells that can bring the water of life to indigenous villages in Burkina Faso, West Africa, and other parts of Africa.

Over the past 12 years, the walk has helped raise over $260,000 which has been used to dig 26 wells in Burkina Faso and has helped support the digging of a well in Kenya. Susan Hough, the lead coordinator of the walk, said she had no idea in 2004 when the first walk was held that it would continue to grow and be embraced by so many people.

“The beauty of it is that so many young people are involved, and the walk speaks to how wonderful our youth are and how they can make a difference when given an opportunity. I am so touched that it has continued to thrive, and that the kids not only motivate the adults, but they also learn as students to become leaders.”

Wisdom Spring, Inc. is a non-profit that uses the money raised in the walk to fund wells and help provide education for students in Burkina Faso.

Sobonfu Somé, the founder of Wisdom Spring, Inc. tells us that,”We know that by providing water and education, we help to preserve the culture of The Dagara people of Burkina Faso, who are very connected to the natural world.”We are a people who carry an ancient wisdom and an understanding of the great cycles of the earth. The wells have revived the people, the animals and the land itself.”

The Annual Walk for Water is the brainchild of Kristen Karinshak Wood, a former Heritage High School student, who came up with the idea after hearing Sobonfu Somé give a talk to students about her village.

Cheri Faley sponsor of the National Honor Society at Heritage High School in Leesburg and one of the co-coordinators of the annual walk suggests people interested in helping that they come out and walk with us, work with your friends and family to raise funds for Wisdom Spring, Inc., sponsor Wisdom Spring, Inc. when you shop at Amazon Smile, or donate on line.

To donate online, please go to: http://www.wisdomspring.org/donate/

To arrange a larger gift, please contact Susan Hough at (703) 505-5152

Over a 1,000 participants are expected this year, and people who cannot walk can sponsor a walker at the cost of $20 for adults and $10 for students. Participants are welcome to bring dogs on leashes. The 10K and 5K Walks are sanctioned by The American Volkssport Association (AVA), and participants are eligible for credits from The International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV).

People interested in registering for the walk, which has grown to include a sister walk in California and other fund raisers may register by mail through May 1st by sending a tax deductible check payable to Wisdom Spring, Inc., 5960 South Land Park Drive #200 Sacramento, CA 95822.

People may register online through May 6th at http://www.wisdomspring.org/donate/. They also may register on-site on the day of the walk.

Press interested in interviewing Sobonfu Somé or Susan Hough may call Edith Billups at (240) 731-0159.+++