Walk for Wells 5K

Every mile matters because every drop counts!

Philadelphia, Pa March 26, 2012- Compassion Corps, a local non-profit organization intent on alleviating suffering and advancing development in northern Africa (www.compassion-corps.com), is proud to announce a fundraising event, a Walk for Wells, to support the cause of clean water for Africa. The Walk for Wells will take place on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at Bellevue State Park in Delaware.

Come get some exercise and support a great cause!

As a “sister event” to the Wheels for Wells Mid-Atlantic Water Cycling Tour (a division of Compassion Corps), this 5k Run/Walk is intended to help raise both awareness and funds that will be used to provide clean drinking water in poverty-stricken and war-ravaged areas of Africa.

A child dies every 20 seconds from a water-related illness, and women spend 200 million hours a day collecting water for their families (water.org). Clean water is something that we take for granted, but the reality is that millions of people globally still do not have access to this basic necessity.

“We expect that this event will not only raise funds that will help us install wells, but that it will also be a great way to raise awareness in our community about the global water crisis,” says Compassion Corps director, Jan Bean. In fact, there are even several participants who have committed to running or walking parts of the route carrying large containers of water on their heads to simulate the exhausting work that women all over the world endure each day as they travel many miles on foot to bring back water to their villages.

Women walk for miles to bring water back to their families

Compassion Corps encourages anyone who is local and interested in supporting this cause to register for the Walk for Wells event. The 5K will include chip timing, so participants can run competitively and receive prizes for placing or simply come to enjoy a casual walk in the park and support a great cause. Registration is now open and you can register two ways. Go online to www.runtheday.com. Click on “Find a Run” and locate the walk under the May 5th date in order to read more details about the event and register online. Or send an email to Beth McMillen at bmcmillen@compassion-corps.com and register through Compassion Corps.

Sponsors are also needed to cover the cost of this event. If you or your company is interested in partnering with this mission, please contact Beth McMillen at bmcmillen@compassion-corps.com.Your participation in the Walk for Wells will make a lasting impact as we work together to end the water crisis. Every mile matters because every drop counts!

2012 Wheels for Wells Mid-Atlantic Water Tour Scheduled for July 8th-14th

Philadelphia, PA, March 30, 2012 – Compassion Corps is proud to announce the launch of the 2012 Wheels for Wells campaign for clean water. This second annual event, a Mid-Atlantic bike tour, will involve 20 riders and 8 support staff and will cover a nearly 400-mile scenic route through 5 states over the course of 6 days. The tour is scheduled to begin in Nag’s Head, NC on July 8th and conclude in Ocean City, NJ on the 14th. The most impressive aspect of this unique event, though, is its commitment to making a difference for the people of Northern Africa, a region devastated by an appalling lack of access to clean drinking water. In 2011, Wheels for Wells raised $20,000 for the purposes of supporting clean water initiatives, including the installation of an irrigation system, a well cap and a brand new well. Through rider sponsorship and corporate donations, Compassion Corps expects to be able to generate double the funds through this year’s Wheels for Wells Mid-Atlantic Water Tour.

Wheels for Wells cyclists in action!

Rider registration officially opened online via www.Wheels for Wells.org on Monday, March 12th. Because the 2012 tour will be capped at 20 riders, it is recommended that interested individuals should visit the website as early as possible to secure their place in the event. This fully supported ride is made possible by a dedicated team of staff members, who spend months prior to the event focusing on all of the details and logistics so that the riders can have the best possible experience while on the road.

DECIDE TO RIDE OR TELL SOMEONE WHO CAN!

An Invitation for Corporate Partnerships

Children drink from a clean water source in Elabdach, Mali.

According to Water.org, one child dies every fifteen seconds as a result of water-related issues (www.water.org). But water-borne disease isn’t the only issue associated with this tragedy. The water crisis also presents serious social and economic implications that impact entire villages. However, attainable and sustainable solutions do exist and the suffering of those affected can be minimized through creative efforts such as the Wheels for Wells water tour.

On August 1st of 2011, 10 riders and 7 volunteers began an adventure called Wheels for Wells.  The goal: bike 392 miles from Nags Head, North Carolina, to Ocean City, New Jersey, over the course of 6 days.  The purpose: raise $20,000 for clean water projects in Africa.  Chris Carr, a local graphic artist/web designer and Marketing Director for Compassion Corps, was the heart and soul of this project.  In 2009, Chris traveled to Timbuktu, Mali, with this agency and saw for himself the dire circumstances that thousands of people deal with everyday.  Women walk for 2 hours in one direction to find a well where they can draw water for their families to drink as well as to use to cook, wash, and water their animals. Chris came back from Africa a changed man and began a campaign that brought him to this culminating event on August 1, 2011.

On the Road!

It was no easy task to work out the logistics, gather a group willing to give up a week of their summer to ride, and garner the support of family and friends to undertake this project.  There were many days that the prospects looked dim and his hopes would falter, but with perseverance, some loyal friends, and a lot of heart, Wheels for Wells commenced and was a huge success.

Eastern University was fully involved with Wheels for Wells, being one of the title sponsors for the ride. Three of the ten riders were Eastern graduates (Ben Ruegsegger, Clare Oestreicher, Austin Davco), Jim & Rita Henderson and Brian & Katie Dennstaedt, all Eastern grads, served as support staff before and during the event, and at least 7 other Eastern students, interns, and graduates all helped to make Wheels for Wells happen.

This 5-state Atlantic Water Tour was developed as a major fundraising event of Compassion Corps           (www.compassion-corps), a local nonprofit organization which seeks to make a difference for those in need in some of Africa’s hardest places.  One of those places is Timbuktu, Mali, where a brave indigenous pastor works tirelessly to help the people of his region battle to survive in what is called the “Belt of Misery.” Pastor Nouh Ag Infa Yattara also completed his graduate work at Eastern and returned to Africa to help his people. Compassion Corps has partnered with Pastor Nouh on medical clinics and water projects.  They have provided well caps and pumps for 2 existing wells and resourced the building of a well in the village of Elabdach.  Some of the Wheels for Wells’ proceeds will be used to finish off the well cap and pump on that well, giving the people of Elabdach clean, pure water.

Perhaps the words of one of the riders, Clare (Ruegsegger) Oestreicher, say it best:

When the idea of riding my bike for 392 miles in one week was presented by my friend Chris I was excited but not completely sold. Sure , I like my bike….  its red and white and moves pretty fast thanks to my Husband’s bike skills…but six days in August … riding…. ohhhh… I kept thinking about the time away from life, the cost of fundraising, the fear of the unknown. I had this thought that someone else would surely step up to the plate. I waited and waited and soon realized that the opportunity was before me for a reason.  I didn’t know it at the time but the transforming process of believing in something and sticking your neck out on the line for a cause changes your character. I began learning about where the wells would be drilled, how many lives would be impacted and soon realized this was something that would change my life deeply. Over the course of 6 days I watched as Jan and Beth (Compassion Corps Directors) shared their passion for reaching the less fortunate in Africa. They gave of their time  and talent  to impact others- many of whom they may never meet. Their desire to make a difference was contagious!

I watched as my friends and family came on board and became connected to a cause that just a few months  ago was not even on our radar. Whereas initially I was nervous to fundraise I slowly learned that people really cared and wanted to support something I believed in. Just as I had seen the acts of service through Jan and Beth my supporters saw in me the step of faith that was being taken.

The riders preparing to set out for a day of cycling

The event was well on its way and the joy of riding on back country roads made the time in the saddle well worth it. The volunteers were awesome! They greeted us at every rest stop with cold wash clothes and smiles from ear to ear. We were well fed and care for all along the way. I rode my bike through six states. Can you believe it??? Collectively, we raised close to $20,000.00. They made us feel like we were champions- when really they were the ones making it happen…We rode the bikes, and helped raise the funds but Compassion Corps is changing the World- one well at a time.

Wheels for Wells 2012 is scheduled for July 8th -14th.  The dream is to double the number of riders in order to fund irrigation projects which will allow for food production in barren areas, which in turn will save and sustain many lives.  If you love to ride and want to help make a difference, please check out the Wheels for Wells website and inquire for more details.

It has been two long years but finally the Wheels for Wells Mid-Atlantic Water Tour is here! The tour begins on Monday August 1st at 7:00 AM sharp from the Outer Banks, NC.

10 Cyclists will be riding up the coast toward Ocean City, New Jersey just 6 short days away. The total trip is just short of 400 miles (389 miles).

So far cyclists have raises $20,000 and we have received $3500+ in corporate donations. It is out goal to increase that number through online donations on our website www.wheelsforwells.org

Please keep our team in you hopes, thoughts and prayers. The temperatures should be in the high 90’s all week.