campaign: Walking 4 Water
raised so far: $200
campaign goal: $5,000 ($20,000 over by the end of 2012)
mission statement: “Starting December 28, 2011, I will walk on the treadmill at my gym every day, to try to raise money for those who don’t have clean, safe drinking water. I will be taking a photo everyday, and putting it on my blog, as proof to ensure that I stick to my goal, and remain focused on what’s important: clean water.”

How did you first hear about charity: water?
A few years ago when I was pregnant with my son. I saw the commercial with the woman and her two children going to the pond and filling up the Jerry cans with disgusting, dirty water. My first reaction was, “I wouldn’t let him drink that. I want the very best for him.” Unfortunately, I went into early labor and he lived 12 minutes. My life got turned upside down and it has taken me years to put back the pieces, but the one thing that has stuck with me through this whole process, is that commercial.

Which came first — the idea to start a campaign, or to reach a walking goal?
I knew I wanted to make a difference, so I asked my husband to get me charity: water’s Thermos Hydration bottle for Christmas. That was the only gift I wanted. When it arrived, I was so excited but I felt that I, personally, wasn’t doing enough to help end the water crisis. So I thought about what I could do to make a difference.

I wanted to do something that would take an entire year, raise $20,000. When I saw that the my charity: water campaigns were a maximum of three months, I decided to break down my campaign into quarters. To raise $5,000 and build one well every quarter, in an effort to try to effect positive change for a village each quarter. The only question was, “What am I going to do everyday?”

And then it dawned on me — walk. Just walk. Walk every day at my gym, on the treadmill, and document every mile.

You’re nearly a month in… has it been difficult?
Since starting my campaign, the most difficult thing is getting people to do something about the water crisis and donate. It’s always nice to hear people say, “That’s great,” but it’s another thing for them to open their wallets and help. It can be a bit disheartening hearing “no” time and time again, but I have faith that even if they don’t donate, they have at least been made aware of the water crisis.

What has been easier than you expected about it?
Something I thought would be hard turned out to be easier than I expected: getting the word out and spreading awareness. I have found that people are eager to hear about my charity: water campaign and my personal journey to walk for clean water.

Has blogging helped keep you going?
Absolutely.

Why?
I can honestly say that knowing that I have people that are checking the blog daily and people that have agreed to pledge for the entire campaign of 91 days, makes me want to go and walk even further. I just have to be careful not to overdo it and not injure my legs. I have to keep focused on the fact that this is a year-long marathon for me and that tomorrow is just around the corner.

What’s your support network like? What were the reactions to your campaign?
My support is my husband. He makes sure that I take the time to stretch, eat healthy and stay positive. He’s been so great helping me make fliers and getting the word out. As for the reaction to my campaign, I have found that people are generally supportive, but yet again, hesitant to help out.

Do you consider this a New Year’s resolution?
The thing about New Year’s resolutions is that people rarely keep them because they have no one to be held accountable to. I have had several people ask me if this was a resolution of mine, and it isn’t. It’s changing the way I live and leading by example. For me, every person I can help bring clean water to, are the people to whom I am accountable. I might never meet them, nor see the village where they live, but this is the promise I made to them, even though they’re not aware of it.

What motivates you the most in your campaign?
Knowing that every step I take on that treadmill brings someone one step closer to tasting clean, safe drinking water for the first time in their lives. That’s all the motivation I need.

Any advice to others thinking of doing a campaign?
If you are thinking about doing a campaign, make sure that you do it whole heartily. Keep an open mind and be aware that there are going to be personal sacrifices, whether they be time, energy, money or goods, in an effort to do what is right.

Stephanie was featured in two local newspapers for her efforts! Check out her story in East Haddam Patch here and in the Middletown Press here >