2010 Water 1st – Beer 2nd Event Raises $40,000

More than 500 people attend event at Seattle’s Lake Union Park Armory

More than 500 guests gathered for Seattle's 5th annual Water 1st – Beer 2nd fun(d)raiser on March 5, enjoying food, beverages, live music, and dancing in support of the work of Water 1st International. Over $40,000 was raised for water, sanitation, and hygiene-education projects in Ethiopia, Honduras, India, and Bangladesh.

Piecora’s catered the event, and our favorite dance band, The ElecktraLytes, provided live music while guests enjoyed beer from five premier Seattle area breweries.

Water 1st – Beer 2nd

In keeping with the theme of the event, guests were given a list of beer and water facts (such as "$50, the equivalent of a keg of cheap beer provides a water basin and tap for one family in Honduras for life") to demonstrate how their funds are being put to work in Water 1st projects.

Congratulations to this year’s raffle winner, Brooke Magnusson, who won a 5-night stay at the Sheraton Kauai Resort and a $1,300 Alaska Airlines voucher.

Board member and Ethiopia Water Tour participant Jon Hughes welcomed guests and talked about why he is involved with Water 1st. "Two years ago I had the privilege of traveling with Water 1st to Ethiopia and got to see the work of Water 1st firsthand. It was an amazing experience. I watched young girls – the same age as my girls (7,9 and 11) – scoop dirty water from a small stream into their containers, and walk home with these containers, weighing 25 to 40 pounds, strapped to their backs. I also witnessed people from the community of Ilamu Muja turn their new clean water taps on for the first time, and hear how grateful they were for having something so basic. It was life-changing and humbling. How privileged we all are.”

Guests enjoyed a film describing the global water and sanitation crisis and the impact that safe water has on the lives of the poor. Marla Smith-Nilson, Executive Director of Water 1st, also spoke of her recent travels to Water 1st projects in Ethiopia and thanked Water 1st donors for their continued support of projects that are making a difference in the lives of thousands of people.

“Four years ago, the villagers of Ilamu Muja were begging us to help them with a water project. Now they talk about their own plans to address problems affecting the community. The adults of Ilamu Muja were focused on their future, rather than mere survival. To be a witness this transformation is something I won’t forget." Marla Smith–Nilson

Water 1st staff member Kirk Anderson led the call for funding after the film. "Thank you for devoting some of your free time to benefit those who have no free time. Women in the poor communities that we support are stretched thin. Seven days a week, they are collecting water, they are collecting firewood, they are cooking meals, they are taking care of children, they are working in the fields. They don’t get many opportunities to have their equivalent of a night out to enjoy the company of their friends.

“We’re all here tonight to change that sad reality. Water projects prevent deadly illnesses and they fundamentally alter women’s lives by significantly reducing their daily workloads. Thanks to you all, Water 1st is implementing projects that will impact the lives of thousands of women this year.”

Emcee Jon Hughes closed the evening’s program by offering a toast, "Here's to all of you here tonight for making a difference in the lives of hundreds of people around the world. And here’s to our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia, India, Bangladesh, and Honduras who will have clean water because of you. Cheers!"

Special Thanks!

Water 1st gratefully recognizes our keg sponsors and Richard Piecora of Piecora’s Catering for their generous support of Water 1st. We would also like to thank Greg Boehme, Gibby Dammann, Eddy Ferguson, Julie Mains and Bryan Yates from our fabulous band, the ElectraLytes.

We also want to acknowledge the Water 1st-Beer 2nd event committee: Nancy Carroll, Josh Epperson, Andrew Fitzpatrick. Deb Fitzpatrick, Brad Halverson, Jon Hughes, Todd Peterson, Brian Whitaker, and Julie Wroble.

Most of all, Water 1st thanks our event volunteers and guests for their commitment to the work of Water 1st and helping the world’s poor meet their most basic need for safe water.

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