Thirst Relief International

Double Your Donation Dollar!

2011-12-29T18:38:00.005-05:00

$25K Matching Campaign

Phil & Melissa Shaffer

Phil & Melissa Shaffer have been faithful supporters of Thirst Relief for years and have once again decided to do an exciting matching gift.

Phil & Melissa recently learned that Thirst Relief's Founder and President, Jim Hicks, has been an unpaid volunteer for Thirst Relief for more than six years. In order to give the organization the growing attention that it requires and still provide for his family's needs, Jim has agreed with our board that now is the time to transition from an unpaid volunteer to a paid staff position. A salary will enable Jim and his family of six to continue giving all of the time and effort they've sacrificed in bringing clean water to the people of the world.

Phil & Melissa will match you, dollar for dollar, when you designate a donation toward the matching campaign and have generously agreed to match up to $25,000!

Jim & Clean Water Recipients

The goal of this campaign is simple: Once matched, this campaign will provide Jim and his family with much needed funds. This will enable Jim to continue his hard work for the organization and ensure that tens-of-thousands of people receive clean water each year.

Here's how to donate toward the match:

1.
A. Online at www.thirstrelief.org
-OR-
B. Send a check to:
Thirst Relief
P.O. Box 436
Lewis Center, OH 43035

2. Send us an email at info@thirstrelief.org letting us know that you'd like your donation to be designated as a matching donation.

Help Thirst Relief bring water to those in need in 2012 - double your donation dollar today!

Best to you,
Nathan White
Director of Operations
Thirst Relief International

Fundraising: The Basics

2011-12-20T12:06:00.008-05:00

The topic of fundraising is often shrouded in a cloud of ambiguity - and rightly so. Many people, full of good intentions, get stuck and give up before they even start fundraising simply because they lack clear and concise direction on HOW to fundraise.

Over the years, many people have asked me, "How can I get involved?", "How do I raise funds?" or "What type of fundraiser do you recommend I do?". My answer to these questions can be addressed with another list of questions. Successful fundraising requires one to reflect upon their intentions, interests, talents and circles of influence - answer these four questions and I guarantee you'll create a successful fundraiser.

1. What are my intentions?

Before taking any steps toward fundraising you must ask yourself, "What are my intentions in doing this fundraiser?", or more simply put, "Why am I doing this?". Do you have a burning desire to make a positive change in the world or is this just a fleeting moment of an emotional or humanitarian high? Do you have what it takes to plan, maintain and finish strong in your fundraising endeavor?
I'm not trying to intimidate you with this probing and self-revealing question but rather trying to establish whether or not the fundraiser will have the solid foundation it needs to succeed - that solid foundation is - YOU.
You must also ask yourself, "What is my vision for this fundraiser?". In other words, what would you like to accomplish with the funds raised? Provide 20 water filters to supply an entire village in Rwanda with clean water? Build a well, latrines, stand taps and filters in India to provide an entire school with clean water? Try to be as specific as possible when creating your vision for fundraising. The more clear your vision - the more likely you will be in pulling off a successful fundraiser.
Congrats! You just made it through the most difficult of all four questions. You're already well on your way to creating a fundraiser.

2. What are my interests?

Experience in watching people fundraise has revealed the mind-blowing truth that most successful fundraisers are accomplished when you focus on something that interests you. Do you like hosting parties, organizing events, writing, editing, designing, creating, tech, gaming, sales, marketing, celebrating special events such as birthdays, anniversaries and holidays, etc.?
You have more control over this question than any other because it directly relates to who you are.

3. What are my talents?

This question can easily become confused with question number two - "What are my interests?". However, it is vitally important to distinguish the two questions from one another.
Just because something interests me does not mean that I'm good at it. The most optimal fundraisers are completed when one recognizes and utilizes BOTH their interest(s) and talent(s) when choosing a theme for their fundraiser.
I.e. You might be very interested in hosting a party but haven't hosted so much as a wiener roast in the last five years. This might translate to a feeling of intimidation when sitting down to write party invitations - thus leading to not writing the invitations which leads to a failed fundraiser. Don't let this speed bump slow you down. Most likely you have a friend that is a pro at hosting parties and would love to help you get back into the swing of things. And there you have it - you're interested in hosting parties AND you're talented at rallying your friend(s) into helping you.

4. What is my circle of influence?

With whom do you hold a significant sway? Do you maintain the interest and attention of those in your workplace, family, neighbors, classmates, team, church, organization, etc.? Of those, who will probably get excited WITH you and will share the passion you have for making a positive change in the world? These are the people that you must identify because they will determine the end result of your fundraiser.

Done! Now you are ready to fundraise! Keep a close eye on your answers to these four questions and I guarantee you'll have a successful fundraising experience and have fun doing it.

Examples of Successful Fundraisers

These are just a select few of the many wonderful fundraisers that have been accomplished for Thirst Relief. Take a moment to look them over. It just might help get your creative juices flowing and get you even one step closer to making your very own fundraiser become a success.

Designate Your Birthday
Host an Athletic Event
Memorial
Mentoring/Workshop
Sell Your Merchandise
Walk for Water
Christmas Gift

I sincerely hope this blog post was helpful in getting you started with your fundraiser.

All the best,

Nathan White

Director of Operations

Thirst Relief International

Thirst Relief Benefit Shoot 2012

2011-11-08T21:46:00.013-05:00

Thirst Relief's annual Benefit Shoot takes place every year at Wedding & Portrait Photographers International, WPPI. The 2012 shoot will happen on Sunday, February 19th from 1-10pm.

100% of proceeds go directly to Thirst Relief water projects located around the world to help provide people with a long-term source of clean water.

The 2012 Thirst Relief Benefit Shoot boasts an incredible lineup of instructors: Mike Colon, David and Luke Edmonson, Rocco Ancora, Roberto Valenzuela and CM Leung. View their accomplishments and some of their work later on in this post.

Watch the video below to get a sneak peak of what the benefit shoot is like:

Shoot participants will enjoy a nine hour instructional shoot that includes six instructors covering various topics of photography. Transportation and dinner are also provided with prizes given away to participants at dinner.

This year's dinner will take place in a large private room at Maggiano's in downtown Las Vegas.

The day shoot will take place outside of downtown Las Vegas in Nelson Nevada’s very own Ghost Town with the Red Rocks as a scenic backdrop for this stylized bridal fashion shoot. Thirst Relief has reserved the entire Ghost Town in order to ensure a high quality experience for all participants.

Shooters will be split up into groups and rotate between instructors on a timed schedule to allow adequate time learning from each instructor.

Below are a few images from the Ghost Town:

Photos provided by: Staja Studios

Instructors for the day shoot include: Luke Edmonson, Mike Colon, CM Leung and Rocco Ancora. David Edmonson and Roberto Valenzuela will join the group at dinner and treat participants with classroom style instruction after dinner. In addition, the shoot will host guest speakers from companies like ShowIt, who will talk about practical and helpful ways to run your business.

Below is information about the 2012 instructors:

Mike Colon

Mike Colón is an international wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Newport Beach, California. He has been shooting professionally for over twelve years and has traveled the world photographing extravagant weddings, fashion, and editorial assignments for his discerning clients. His resume of celebrity clientele boasts some of the biggest names in Hollywood, the music industry, and professional sports.

Mike's gift for capturing life has been recognized by numerous publications worldwide including Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Marriage, People, Us Weekly, Instyle, Rangefinder, Photo District News, Popular Photography, American Photo, Shutterbug, and dozens more. His work also appears in many of the Amherst Media and fine art photography books found in bookstores today.

Luke & David Edmonson

It wasn't long before the international photographic community began celebrating this talented twosome and awarding them for their unique contributions to the art. In 2011 their first year to compete in the PPA Imaging USA international print competition, Luke and David won the coveted silver and gold International Photographer of the Year awards, respectively. Holders of twenty-two 1st, 2nd & 3rd place awards from the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) organization, both hold the the Accolade of Outstanding Photographic Achievement (AOPA), not to mention both Fuji & Kodak Gallery Awards. Between the two, the Edmonson’s have received a combined total of over 250 Accolades of Excellence. In 2008, David won the WPPI 16x20 International Commercial Print of the Year and followed it up with the 2011 IPC International Wedding Image of the Year.

David & Luke consider it important to be involved in local, regional and state photography organizations including Southwest Professional Photographers of America (SWPPA), Texas PPA and their local Dallas PPA guild. David serves as the education liaison on the board of directors for the Dallas PPA, and serves as a print judge for the WPPI International Print Competition. Their work has been featured in several notable industry publications such as Rangefinder, Photo District News, celebrity news magazines like US Weekly, and numerous regional publications, as well as a number of inspiring bridal magazines including Modern Bride, The Knot and Grace Ormonde Wedding Style. Dear to their hearts is the importance of giving back both to the industry and to others in need. Leading the annual Thirst Relief Benefit shoot to raise money for clean water in developing countries is one of their highlights every year.

CM Leung

CM Leung is the first Asian photographer who has been granted two Grand Awards that include "International Wedding Print of the Year" and "International Photojournalism Print of the Year" by WPPI in 2010 within a single year's time.

In Addition, CM also possesses seven winning prints (including 1st, 2nd & 3rd place under different categories), the 3rd place of non-wedding album award and more than 90 excellence awards at WPPI competitions.

Since 2009, CM has conducted seminars and workshops around the world. Widely recognized globally as a master in lighting and Photoshop techniques, CM was invited as the guest speaker and also as a judge on the panel for the annual WPPP (Wedding & Portrait Photographer of Philippines) in 2010.

Roberto Valenzuela

Roberto Valenzuela is a wedding and fine art photographer based out of Beverly Hills. His academic background is in Economics and Marketing. However, it was his 10 years as a concert classical guitarist, which has given him a unique outlook about how to master photography the way he tackled his musical instrument.

Roberto Valenzuela is a 55 time International award winning photographer, 3-time International first place winner. He has served as a judge for PPA (Professional Photographers of America), for WPPI 8x10 International print competition, 16x20 WPPI International print competition, Bodaf European photography competition and the International wedding album competition in Las Vegas, NV.

In 2009, Roberto Valenzuela was named one of the top wedding photographers in the world by Junebug Weddings, (One of the largest wedding resource websites in America).

Roberto is an active teacher and platform speaker at WPPI, Roberto has also been asked to speak at other major conferences in the United States, Mexico and Europe. Including, Bodaf Madrid, SMFP in Mexico, Bodaf Mexico City, Pictage Partner Conference in New Orleans, local PPA chapters across America, Skip’s Summer School in Las Vegas, NV., and Photo Plus Expo in New York City.

Roberto’s book Picture Perfect Practice will be published and available in bookstore across the nation in January 2012.

Rocco Ancora

Rocco Ancora’s consistent passion and excellence in his photography continues to be rewarded with many accolades appointed to his name. Being awarded a prestigious accolade such as the Australian Institute of Professional Photography’s Wedding Photographer of the year once in a career is meritorious, to have received the award for the Fourth time in 2010 in a six-year span is a testimony of the highest regard in which his peers hold Rocco’s craftsmanship.

In 2010 Rocco was also awarded the Victorian Professional Photographer of the year as well as the Victorian Wedding Photographer of the Year.

In addition Capture Magazine honored Rocco as Australia’s No.1 Wedding Photographer. Rocco continues to be featured prominently in the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) awards list and is celebrated both in Australia and Internationally as an educator presenting seminars at WPPI USA, UK and Europe. Rocco remains humbled and honored by these awards and MOST of all privileged by the unique opportunity to memorialize peoples' lives through artistic and timeless imagery.

Save lives and change the world - be one of the lucky few on this experiential shoot!

Want to book your very own seat on the Benefit Shoot? Email or call us today at 1-866-5THIRST

What is the Mentor Auction?

2011-09-29T16:34:00.022-04:00

This year's auction will take place on Thirst Relief's eBay account on November 14-17, 2011.The Auction will begin on the 14th at 11PM EST and end on the 17th at 11PM EST.

Click HERE for a helpful list of things to help you promote the auction!

The mission of the annual Thirst Relief Mentor Auction is twofold, to save lives and change the world by tapping into the incredible talent and generosity of the photography industry and to create better and more successful photographers.

Though the primary focus of mentors surround the photography industry there are many other areas of expertise that people donate such as business consulting, accounting services, marketing, etc.

To accomplish this goal we've asked some of the best and brightest in these industries to donate 90 minutes of mentorship (instructional) time and anything else they feel like giving to be auctioned off to a winning bidder! The auction takes place on eBay and is open for three days. At the end of the auction the highest bidder wins the 90 min. mentor session as well as any other prizes the mentor may have included. The winning bidder is notified that they won the auction by Thirst Relief staff and are put in contact with their mentor. The winning bidder and mentor then communicate on how they plan to carry out the mentor session. Often, the mentor sessions are done at WPPI, via video chat on Skype, phone or in person at the mutual location of both parties choosing.

Also, each year Thirst Relief conducts a Benefit Shoot at WPPI where world renowned photographers instruct the shoot participants. Seats for the Benefit Shoot are auctioned off during the Mentor Auction.

Click HERE to learn more about the Thirst Relief Benefit Shoot!

Last year, the sponsors and 90 mentors who participated in the Mentor Auction raised more than $40,700 which directly provided 8,147 people with clean water! 100% of the proceeds directly benefit Thirst Relief International, who provides at least 25 years of clean drinking water to the more that 1 billion people who don't have it! Add to that the incredible wisdom and talent that is being shared in the one-on-one mentor sessions and you have better and more successful photographers/business owners! So, not only are lives being saved but the lives of many business owners are being made better! It's truly a win win for everyone involved!

Here are the steps that guide you through the entire process:

Note: Registration to be a mentor ended Nov. 7th

1. Register to be a mentor: http://www.thirstrelief.org/site/nominate

2. Tell everyone that you just registered to be a mentor!

Twitter:

I just signed up to be a mentor in the @ThirstRelief Mentor Auction! You can sign up too. Visit http://www.thirstrelief.org/site/nominate to register today!

Facebook:
I just signed up to be a mentor in the Thirst Relief Mentor Auction! You can sign up too! Visit http://www.thirstrelief.org/site/nominate to register as a mentor in your area of expertise. You'll be able to help someone learn your trade while the proceeds save lives around the world! Click here to lean more about the auction: http://thirstrelief.blogspot.com/2011/09/what-is-mentor-auction.html

3. Send Thirst Relief staff your bio (150 words or less); profile picture (JPEG) and what you want to include in your auction (90 min. mentorship time is required but you can add things like prizes, merchandise, instructional DVD's, etc.) Send everything above to: info@thirstrelief.org immediately to make sure you can participate in the auction. If we receive your information later than Nov. 7th you will not be able to participate in the auction.

4. Thirst Relief will contact you prior to the auction with updates and ways to help you promote your mentorship to your followers so that they can be ready and waiting for the auction to go live.

5. Watch and promote the auction as it takes place on eBay.

6. Wait to get an email from Thirst Relief that introduces you to your winning bidder.

7. Set up a time with your winning bidder to do your mentor session.

Then, watch and see how Thirst Relief can save thousands of lives with the proceeds from the Mentor Auction!!!

Have more questions? Email us at info@thirstrelief.org or call us toll free at 1-866-5THIRST

Be a mentor - save lives!

Learn More About Thirst Relief:

Golf Outing 2011

2011-08-23T15:21:00.000-04:00

The Thirst Relief 2011, In the Drink, golf outing and live auction were a great success and raised enough proceeds to help provide more than 2,200 people with clean drinking water.

Thanks to Shannon Sano Photography for taking these great photos (http://shannonsano.com/) and to all those who participated!

Elijah's Birthday Wish

2011-07-29T08:42:00.001-04:00

You can follow Elijah's Birthday Wish as he follows his heart in donating his birthday to save lives.

You can donate on behalf of his birthday at: www.thirstrelief.org/elijahs-wish

Watch Elijah in the video below to see first-hand how he cares about people in need of clean drinking water.

Inspiring Donor Gets Creative

2011-07-22T09:07:00.001-04:00

Thirst Relief would like to showcase and thank Benjamin Corey, of Corey Pro Photography, who creatively used his own business to help save lives. His ingenuity and humanitarian outlook helped raise the funds for the following project which will be completed in July.

Location: Cameroon, in the Eastern portion of Kumbo.

Project Type: WASH

This is a project far a school that will provide all the needed clean water for the teachers and children as well as sanitation and hygiene training. The name of the school is Government Primary School Yer. There are 535 students and 8 teachers. The school is expecting to have more students once summer break ends.

Seven Biosand filters and a latrine are being installed and 25 pupils will be trained as “The Water Club”. This water club will be composed of 5 students per class and these 5 will go back and teach the rest of their classmates. The school is including the hygiene and sanitation lessons in their school program for the entire school to get involved.

The parents will also be educated by the children at home.

The education is so vital for initiating and continuing practices that save the lives of both the children and parents.

The filters and latrine are so vital to keeping the children healthy and able to attend classes regularly.

What a huge impact Ben had on the lives of so many – all because he made a manageable sacrifice.

Here’s how his idea came to fruition:

Last wedding season Ben got a call from a really good friend in the wedding photography business. He explained that he had a rapidly approaching wedding which he was now unable to shoot, and asked if Ben would be willing to fill in for him. Ben happily agreed and made the 10 hour round-trip trek to shoot the wedding on his friend’s behalf. During the long drive home, it occurred to Ben that he had basically just given away a wedding; in any other circumstance, he would have been paid several thousand dollars to do the work. Yet, he was truly happy to do this for his friend, and would do it all over again if asked.

Then, a revelation hit Ben. He asked himself, “Why don't I give away another wedding? This time, I could give the wedding to Thirst Relief International, who I've enjoyed partnering with over the last few years.” He realized that $5 could save a life, so how many lives could he save after donating all the proceeds from a wedding? The idea made perfect sense, so he ran with it and decided that whatever wedding fell closest to Independence Day of 2011, he'd donate all the funds to Thirst Relief to help people become independent from contaminated drinking water.

Once Ben had identified the wedding that was destined to be the benefit wedding for Thirst Relief, he took on the task of telling his clients about it. He had secretly hoped that it would turn out to be a socially-minded couple that would appreciate the significance of their donation. Their response: Kathleen and Brian were so excited about the benefit wedding, that they decided to make a donation of their own! It was a moment of sheer awesomeness!

Now that the wedding is over, the bank check mailed to and deposited at Thirst Relief, and the water project underway, Ben continues to realize how easy this was. Even with a stale economy that has impacted businesses, giving away just one wedding was manageable. In fact, it was an awesome experience that he would love to do again.

Here’s Ben’s challenge:

“I'll donate another wedding to Thirst Relief (whatever 2012 wedding is closest to Independence Day) if 5 other photographers will come forward, join me, and make a public commitment to donate one wedding in 2012 to Thirst Relief. Together, we can make this a movement in the industry and impact thousands of lives! Contact Thirst Relief to find out the details of a specific project that you can sponsor at info@thirstrelief.org or call them toll-free at 1-866-5THIRST. Not a photographer? Take the same concept and go for it within your own business or circles of influence. The satisfaction of knowing that lives were saved is 100% worth the sacrifice! Make a commitment today!”

In the Drink Golf Outing

2011-06-30T15:10:00.000-04:00

Join us August 15th for an opportunity to play one of the most sought after private golf courses in Columbus. More importantly…your participation will save lives and help provide clean drinking water to people in need around the world. Participants will enjoy breakfast, golf, an afternoon buffet and live auction. Prizes will be awarded for The Best Team Score, Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin and more!

Location • Brookside Golf & Country Club 2770 W. Dublin Granville Rd. Columbus, OH 43235 www.brooksidegcc.com

Times • 9am - Breakfast, Registration, Driving Range • 10:30am - Shotgun Start • 2:30pm - Hors d’oeuvres and Live Auction

Golf Cost • Foursome Cost: $750 (all inclusive) • Individual Cost: $200 • Corporate Hole Sponsorship: $300

Registration • Please confirm your registration by emailing Richard Ranck at richardranck@yahoo.com

Payment • Check: Please send checks made out to Thirst Relief to the address below: PO Box 436 - Lewis Center, OH 43035-0436 • At Event: Payments will be accepted on the day of the event • Online: Payments can be made online by clicking HERE

See you there!

Water Conservation: Part 2

2011-06-06T08:30:00.005-04:00

Here is a list of more water conservations tips from FEMA per popular request from yesterday's blog post.

Outdoor Water Conservation Tips

General

Check your well pump periodically. If the automatic pump turns on and off while water is not being used, you have a leak.
Plant native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs, and trees. Once established, they do not need water as frequently and usually will survive a dry period without watering. Small plants require less water to become established. Group plants together based on similar water needs.
Install irrigation devices that are the most water efficient for each use. Micro and drip irrigation and soaker hoses are examples of efficient devices.
Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulch also helps control weeds that compete with landscape plants for water.
Avoid purchasing recreational water toys that require a constant stream of water.
Avoid installing ornamental water features (such as fountains) unless they use recycled water.

Car Washing

Use a shut-off nozzle that can be adjusted down to a fine spray on your hose.
Use a commercial car wash that recycles water. If you wash your own car, park on the grass so that you will be watering it at the same time.

Lawn Care

Avoid over watering your lawn. A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks. Most of the year, lawns only need one inch of water per week.
Water in several short sessions rather than one long one, in order for your lawn to better absorb moisture.
Position sprinklers so water lands on the lawn and shrubs and not on paved areas.
Avoid sprinklers that spray a fine mist. Mist can evaporate before it reaches the lawn. Check sprinkler systems and timing devices regularly to be sure they operate properly.
Raise the lawn mower blade to at least three inches or to its highest level. A higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system, and holds soil moisture.
Plant drought-resistant lawn seed.
Avoid over-fertilizing your lawn. Applying fertilizer increases the need for water. Apply fertilizers that contain slow-release, water-insoluble forms of nitrogen.
Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk.
Avoid leaving sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours.

Pool

Install a new water-saving pool filter. A single back flushing with a traditional filter uses 180 to 250 gallons of water.
Cover pools and spas to reduce evaporation of water.

Water Conservation

2011-06-05T09:32:00.002-04:00

As I sat down to write this blog post today I couldn’t help but think how thankful I was to live in an area where clean water is so readily available. It’s so available and inexpensive that most people take it for granted.

It’s so easy to get used to things. We get used to getting out of bed every morning and doing the same things like: go to the bathroom; brush your teeth; take a shower; make coffee; etc. Guess what? All of these things involved the world’s most precious resource – water! But how often does that cross your mind?

I’ve tried to make it a personal goal to be mentally engaged every time I use water. You can do the same thing by making a few minor adjustments to your day. Here are some suggestions from FEMA to help you conserve water.

Bathroom
• Consider purchasing a low-volume toilet that uses less than half the water of older models. Note: In many areas, low-volume units are required by law.
• Install a toilet displacement device to cut down on the amount of water needed to flush. Place a one-gallon plastic jug of water into the tank to displace toilet flow (do not use a brick, it may dissolve and loose pieces may cause damage to the internal parts). Be sure installation does not interfere with the operating parts.
• Replace your shower head with an ultra-low-flow version.
• Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water for watering plants.
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects, and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
• Avoid taking baths - take short showers - turn on water only to get wet and lather and then again to rinse off.
• Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face, or shaving.

Kitchen
• Operate automatic dishwashers only when they are fully loaded. Use the "light wash" feature, if available, to use less water.
• Hand wash dishes by filling two containers - one with soapy water and the other with rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach.
• Clean vegetables in a pan filled with water rather than running water from the tap.
• Start a compost pile as an alternate method of disposing of food waste or simply dispose of food in the garbage. (Kitchen sink disposals require a lot of water to operate properly).
• Store drinking water in the refrigerator. Do not let the tap run while you are waiting for water to cool.
• Avoid wasting water waiting for it to get hot. Capture it for other uses such as plant watering or heat it on the stove or in a microwave.
• Avoid rinsing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher; just remove large particles of food. (Most dishwashers can clean soiled dishes very well, so dishes do not have to be rinsed before washing)
• Avoid using running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave oven.

Laundry
• Operate automatic clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the size of your load.

General
• Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. Use it to water your indoor plants or garden.
• Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. One drop per second wastes 2, 700 gallons of water per year!
• Check all plumbing for leaks. Have leaks repaired by a plumber.
• Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.
• Install an instant hot water heater on your sink.
• Insulate your water pipes to reduce heat loss and prevent them from breaking.
• Install a water-softening system only when the minerals in the water would damage your pipes. Turn the softener off while on vacation.
• Choose appliances that are more energy and water efficient.

Let’s make it our mission to be more conscientious about how blessed we are to have clean water by making some of these small adjustments to our daily lives. Doing this helps me realize the integral role that water plays in life and helps me never forget that 1 in 6 people don’t even have the luxury of needing a list like the one above.

Take action! Make today the day you save lives and change the world!

Best to you,
Nathan White
Director of Operations

Thirst Relief Welcomes New Interns

2011-06-02T10:21:00.000-04:00

Thirst Relief is starting its brand new internship program this Summer. We have two talented interns, JoAnn Pho and Adam McKibben, who will be working on our volunteer, social networking and print marketing programs.

Welcome interns! Because of you, lives will be saved and the world will be changed for the better.

Letter from the Director of Operations

2011-05-31T10:09:00.002-04:00

Dear Friends,

Clearly, times are tough in the U.S. and around the world. To see this you don’t have to go far; all you have to do is watch the media, your neighbor or your own wallet. In the back of our mind lies an ever-present and weighty tension from lackluster economies and seemingly endless global political uprisings. With this in mind, it’s easy to retreat into a mode of fiscal self preservation.

We know times are tough and that’s why Thirst Relief is such a great charity. Where else can you donate just $5 and save a life?

At Thirst Relief, $5 provides at least 20 years of clean drinking water to someone who is literally dying of thirst. Other water charities need $15-$25 to do the same thing. We know you work hard for your money so why not make your donation have three to five times the impact at Thirst Relief? It’s an economical and extremely efficient way for you to give.

Even though times are tough, we have it better than most. Nearly 2/3 of people who lack access to clean water live on less than $2 per day. 1/3 of those people live on less than $1 per day. (UN World Water Assessment Programme) Compare that to your income. A recurring $5 donation made by you would not likely impact your financial state and might even go unnoticed when it appears on your statement.

Please consider visiting www.thirstrelief.org and make the small commitment to sign up as a monthly recurring donor. By doing this You WILL save lives and change the world!

Best to you,
Nathan White

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-05-30T11:40:00.001-04:00

Today, we must also remember the 2.5 million people who die every year by losing the war against water-borne diseases.

It's a war fought every day around the world and claims the life of an innocent child every 15 seconds!

Please continue to help us fight this war for those who are unable to fight back.

Introducing the Director of Personnel

2011-05-27T10:44:00.000-04:00

Thirst Relief is proud to introduce Adam McCampbell as its new Director of Personnel. Adam has been serving as a volunteer for nearly two years by aiding in things from organizational structure and personnel management to fundraising workhorse. His expertise, gifting and passion lie in personnel management. We greatly value this addition and look forward to his official role at Thirst Relief.

As volunteer Director of Personnel, Adam is responsible for planning and facilitating meetings and providing strategic resources for team growth and development. Adam helps Thirst Relief focus on the organizational vision by setting clear goals and championing the core values. Adam is a graduate of The Ohio State University and owns his own consulting company, Vision Spark, LLC. Adam lives in Dublin, Ohio with his wife Chanelle, son Hudson and yellow lab Griffey.

Behance Blogs About Thirst For More Tour

2010-10-13T11:41:00.001-04:00

Thirst Relief International - Changing lives through safe, clean drinking water
Photographer, entrepreneur, and humanitarian Jim Davis-Hicks is about to hit the road for a year, living in an RV on a tour called "The Thirst for More Tour." Jim is the volunteer founder and president of Thirst Relief International, an organization whose mission is to provide clean drinking water around the world, and overcome the deaths that are caused by contaminated water. By donating just $5, you can give clean water to someone for 30-35 years.

Blog post found at: http://www.behance.com/teamblog/roundup-links-we-recommend-2/2185

Worldwatch Institute Blogs About Thirst Relief

2010-09-29T20:41:00.000-04:00

The following is a blog post from "Innovation of the Week: Using Dirt to Make Water Clean" found on the Nourishing the Planet Blog

In 2004 Peter Njodzeka founded the Life and Water Development Group Cameroon (LWDGC)

with a rather simple goal. “ I wanted to see the people in my area have clean water,” he said. “And we kept expanding. That’s how it started.”

While Peter was growing up in Nkuv, the small village in Cameroon where he was born, no one had clean water. The water available for drinking was also used by livestock and wildlife, as well as for the whole village’s washing. Every year at least one child would die from illness caused by the dirty water and most households reported having at least one sick family member in the past six months at any given time. “When I was growing up that’s how everyone lived,” said Peter. “But when I left the village and came to Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon, I saw that things were so different from my village and I wanted to change things to make them better.”

Six years later, LWDGC, with help from Engineers Without Borders USA Hope College Chapter taught the technicians of LWDGC how to construct and install bio sand filters in the village of Nkuv. In 2008, Thirst Relief International USA partnered with LWDGC and has been bringing access to clean water to over 6 villages in addition to Nkuv, as well as providing wells and latrines for 23 schools, and providing education about hygiene and sanitation practices. And they are providing access to the clean water with a very unlikely technique–they are using dirt and bacteria to make the dirty water clean.

LWDGC and Thirst Relief International are building bio sand filters and teaching households how to use and maintain them, greatly improving the cleanliness of drinking water and all but eliminating diseases caused by contaminated water. Bio sand filters are built with the help of an iron mold. Concrete forms the base of the filter and its center is filled with layers of differently-sized, crushed rock. Two layers of gravel and then fine-grained sand create three levels through which water is poured over the course of three weeks. Slowly on the very top forms what is called a biolayer. Once that final layer has formed, the filter removes 99 percent of the bacteria in water that passes through it and is ready to use.

The drinking water slowly filters through the layers of naturally formed bacteria and sand at a rate of about 1 liter per minute and comes out clean and ready for consumption from a pipe at that’s connected through the concrete from the bottom to the side top outlet of the filter. If properly maintained a biosand filter can be used for up to 12 months without the need for much maintenance.

When LWDGC partners with a community to provide the filters, the first thing the organization does is hold a series workshops, teaching basic hygiene and sanitation such as hand washing and other measures to prevent the spread of disease. “The workshops are important,” says Peter, “because not everyone realizes that there is a problem.” And then there is the task of convincing the community that dirt and bacteria are enough to actually clean their water. “No one believes us when we say that everything that will filter the water is already in the water,” continues Peter.

But once that lesson is learned, lives are changed forever. The bio sand filters “really help the community” said Peter. “When we finish working with a community they always tell us that they don’t have the sickness like before. It’s helping and saving the lives of people.”

Tim Be Told in Concert with Thirst!

2010-04-28T08:57:00.000-04:00

In Concert, May 6^th!
Columbus, Ohio at 7PM - Tim Be Told and Thirst Relief! The concert is a perfect combination – a band that’s all about proclaiming hope and a non-profit that’s all about bringing hope. Thirst Relief gets center stage for a few minutes and will be playing the new informational DVD. A percentage of ticket, merchandise and raffle sales will go to Thirst Relief. CLICK HERE to purchase advance tickets!

See you there!

2010-03-15T23:23:00.000-04:00

Little Ones Making a Big Difference!

Isaak, 6, and his four-year-old sister, Autumn raised $2,200 with their "Walk for Water" fundraiser!

Read about it in the newspaper article they were published in:

http://www.hbindependent.com/articles/2010/03/04/education/hbi-india030410.txt

http://www.hbindependent.com/articles/2010/03/15/education/hbi-india031110.txt

2010-02-21T01:16:00.000-05:00

Mike Colon and Thirst Relief's Founder Jim Davis-Hicks are speaking at WPPI on "Cause Marketing, The Marriage of Higher Profits and Purpose" please check out this quick video with an invitation to attend by Mike Colon at the end! http://thirstrelief.jppiercephotography.com/

Also you can see a great article on "philanthropic photography" in this issue of Grace Ormonde, featuring the work of Thirst Relief.

Mentor Auction - ShootQ Raise $41,635.88!

2010-02-18T00:38:00.000-05:00

Wow. We did it!

Together, we broke a record. We raised a record-breaking $41,635.88. This will help ThirstRelief save 8,327 lives by providing access to safe, clean drinking water.

You Deserve the Credit.

Whether you volunteered to be a mentor, bid on a mentor, tweeted, Facebooked, blogged, or simply told a friend about the auction, this would not have been possible without YOU. Thank you.

Tell the world what happens when people care.

• Donate your FaceBook status to say: "Together, we raised nearly $42,000 for life-saving work by @Thirstrelief. Accepting next year's nominations @ http://thirstrelief.shootq.com"
• Donate your Twitter status to say: "Together, we raised nearly $42,000 for life-saving work by @Thirstrelief. Accepting next year's nominations @ http://thirstrelief.shootq.com"

We're humbled and honored by you.

Warmly,

Your Friends at Thirst Relief & The Teams at ShootQ

2010-02-03T10:53:00.000-05:00

You can bid on the mentor of your choice, including Thirst Founders Jim and Lara Davis-Hicks at this year's 2010 Thirst Relief Mentor Auction, February 16,17 with face time at WPPI in Vegas or over the phone. Go HERE to sign up!

Pura Vida Partners with Thirst Relief

2010-01-28T09:20:00.000-05:00

Thirst Relief International wants to extend a huge THANK YOU to Pura Vida. Pura Vida is a fitness club in Denver Colorado that has a heart for helping the suffering people in Haiti. The Social Events & Membership staff member, Juliet Hicks, has organized an amazing fundraiser where Pura Vida will host fitness classes on a donation basis. This means that anyone who participates in the classes will donate however much they see fit to the Haiti water project. The goal is to raise a minimum of $5,000. These funds will provide more than half of the amount of funds needed to launch the water project in Haiti and will help expedite the launch of the project to as early as February of 2010!

Please visit Pura Vida’s Web site today and look up their contact info! Let them know that you appreciate their thirst for the cause! http://www.puravidaclub.com/

Thank you Pura Vida!

Haiti - Thirst Relief Responds

2010-01-15T15:09:00.000-05:00

Before the 7.0 earthquake that destroyed much of Haiti on January 12^th, 80% of Haitians lacked access to safe, clean drinking water. Numerous people die in Haiti each and every day, whether there is an earthquake or not, due to poor water sanitation.

After the quake, the number of deaths will likely increase. The need for clean drinking water in Haiti will not soon go away nor will Thirst Relief International's commitment to providing long-term, sustainable clean water solutions in this impoverished nation and around the world.

Before the quake, a Thirst Relief Partner Team was scheduled to arrive in Haiti on January 21st. Thirst Relief has been working with this team for the last 9 months in developing a strategic plan for launching a new water project in Haiti. This project will not only provide clean water to thousands, but will also provide employment, community housing and security to orphans that have nowhere to go after they turn 18 and are forced to leave the orphanage. This project will ultimately be self sustaining which means it will not require ongoing funding once it is strongly established.

Thirst Relief is fully committed to seeing this project through to completion as a vital part of the rebuilding of Haiti. Long after the dust settles and emergency responders return to their homes, Thirst Relief will still be there working to bring long-term, sustainable, clean water solutions that will serve as a building block for the future of the Haitian people.

Please visit www.thirstrelief.org and designate your donation to the “Haiti Water Project”. Your donation will expedite the launch of this water project and help provide the suffering people in Haiti with the clean water they desperately need.

Thank you for your promise of hope,

Thirst Relief International

Shoot Q and Thirst Relief

2010-01-04T01:31:00.000-05:00

Shoot Q is donating $5 to Thirst Relief for everyone that signs up during the month of January!

Check it out HERE

Also, be on the lookout for the WPPI Mentor Auction, coming soon!

2009-07-11T01:48:00.000-04:00

For those who would like to follow the trip to Tanzania where Thirst Relief's Founder and President, Jim Davis-Hicks will be shooting designer gowns along with Mike Colon and 14 other amazing photographers, to benefit Thirst Relief you can go HERE and see what posts are made as internet is available!

It's been alot of work to coordinate 15 photographers, 2 videographers, 2 South African models and turning it into a raffle and auction fundraiser all in one! And getting fair trade jewelry from Africa for the shoot from LEAKEY!

We can't actually post images of the gowns etc. as they are not even on the market yet, these gowns were created to benefit Thirst Relief by some of the most amazing designers on the planet. Special thanks to Ines DiSanto, Amy Michelson, Adele Wechsler, Angel Sanchez, and Jenny Packham

Also a very special thanks to Grace Ormonde for publishing the images of these amazing gowns in her Spring 2010 issue!

WPPI, MARATHON PRESS, PICTAGE, DANE SANDERS, BLUDOMAIN, OSP and more for helping to spread the word about this trip!

Keep us in your prayers for safety, depth and joy in the midst of some crazy days!

Blessings!

WINNERS!

2009-06-13T12:12:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to our Winners!
Laura Parker and Michelle Walker have won our auction and raffle.

Thank You to all for participating.
Almost $14,000 was raised, providing 2800 people with a long term clean water solution!

In some way everyone was a winner!

2009-05-23T00:47:00.000-04:00

Join Mike Colon, Jim Davis-Hicks and twelve other amazing photographers on a once in a lifetime photo adventure! Shoot designer gowns on location in Tanzania to benefit Thirst Relief. Help build and deliver life saving Thirst Relief Bio-Sand Water Filters. See some of the most beautiful wildlife on the planet on an African Safari! Top it off with Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Magazine featuring the whole trip in her Spring/Summer 2010 issue!

Two Seats, Two Ways to Win.

Trip Dates July 13-23, 2009.

For Details Go to : http://thirstrelief.shootq.com

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED
Federal and state laws restrict the online sale of Tanzanian Benefit Shoot raffle entries and the online Tanzanian Benefit Shoot auction to only those state or local residents who specifically meet the requirements as set forth in the applicable statutes, regulations, and terms and conditions that apply to the raffle and the auction and Thirst Relief does not currently allow raffle entry purchases or auction entries outside the scope of these restrictions. Raffle entries are reserved on a limited basis. Thirst Relief does not allow any illegal participation in the Tanzanian Benefit Shoot raffle nor the auction. Proceeds of the raffle and the auction benefit Thirst Relief International, Inc. Raffle winners will be selected by random drawing and all participants have an equal opportunity to win. Raffle winners will be notified by Thirst Relief at the address provided. Must be a U.S. resident and 18 years of age or older to participate and to win any raffle and/or auction prize. This is not a solicitation. This is for informational purposes only.

Matching Challenge of $12,500.00

2009-05-16T02:23:00.000-04:00

Right now through June 30th, Thirst Relief has been given a matching challenge.

Dollar for dollar up to $12,500.00. So give now and select "matching challenge" to make your giving count for double!

GIVE HERE x2!!

The recession hits Thirst Relief's projects

2009-04-13T12:23:00.000-04:00

Thirst Relief partners with Life and Water Development Group--Cameroon (LWDG--Cameroon) to provide safe water and improved health for people living in this West African nation. Since we began working together in 2008, we have served more than 6,000 people and installed more than 600 filters.

Thirst Relief is LWDG's main, dependable partner as its founder Peter Njodzeka implements water, sanitation, and hygiene projects on a monthly basis and manages a staff of technicians and assistants. A couple months back, the growth in his monthly activities enabled him to move his family into a larger combined apartment/office space. It is a much better living space for his family, especially his young son who had been getting sick because of the unsanitary conditions around their previous apartment.

Now, the economy is drastically impacting Thirst Relief's finances, and we aren't able to continue supporting the same level of work with Peter and our other partners. In fact, we are having to shut some projects down entirely as our normal flow of funding has slowed. And Peter has been relying on this project funding to feed and house his family, not to mention pay his employees. Without funding, we won't be able to continue a new project aimed at providing safe water, latrines, and hygiene education to young school children in Kumbo province.

If you think of it, please send your thoughts and prayers toward Thirst Relief and LWDG and if you count yourself among the lucky people with a job, would you consider giving a gift to our projects? Whatever we raise will go straight to supporting them.

I have to say I've never worked in an economy like this. Each day brings its bad news, but what is hardest is knowing that our world's most vulnerable people--children, the poor, widows, orphans--and those who dedicate their lives to serving them are absorbing the real impact of this crisis. The ones who can least afford it in the first place.

Flow: the documentary

2009-02-20T16:10:00.001-05:00

Last night Thirst Relief had the privilege of attending a screening of the documentary Flow at Studio 35 in Clintonville, sponsored by Green Columbus. Flow is an examination of the state of our world's water supplies and the debate raging over whether water can be bought and sold or should be considered a community resource owned by all. The film examines events in the United States and also other countries like Bolivia, India, and South Africa.

After the screening, Thirst Relief shared briefly with those attending about our programs and the way we are partnering to make a difference, one community at a time. It was a great event, and exciting to see 300 people or so packed into a room and getting stirred up about the need for everyone, everywhere to have access to safe water.

While Flow definitely takes a certain angle on the issue of water privatization, it is worth seeing regardless of your personal position. I encourage you to get a copy on DVD and watch it soon; I think you'll find yourself angered, educated, inspired, and moved to think deeply about the complexity of how to provide the basic resource of safe water for our world's citizens.

--Carol

Cholera = preventable, water-related disease

2009-02-03T10:10:00.000-05:00

You may have seen on the news that there is an ongoing cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe. Now it has spread beyond Zimbabwe's borders to South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, and Swaziland. So far more than 70,000 people have been infected, and more than 3,000 have died since last August.

So, what is cholera anyway? Since you asked, here is what the World Health Organization has to say:

"Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It has a short incubation period, from less than one day to five days, and produces an enterotoxin that causes a copious, painless, watery diarrhoea that can quickly lead to severe dehydration and death if treatment is not promptly given."

One of the most common causes of cholera outbreaks is poor sanitation, for example, when floods cause waste from latrines to wash into people's drinking water. Thirst Relief and its partners are working with communities to ensure their drinking water remains uncontaminated by human waste.

Here are some recent photos from the village of Kakula in the Kasempa region of Zambia. Thirst's partner repaired a well that had broken. Prior to receiving this help, the community had been forced to gather water from the unprotected spring pictured below. Imagine all the ways this open hole in the ground could be contaminated:
Here is a picture of the repaired well, its first gush of water pouring forth after the repair. Technicians follow up their repairs by testing the water to ensure it is safe for consumption.

Awesome, right?

2009-02-02T00:08:00.001-05:00

The Auctions Have Closed!

Thanks for helping us raise $25,392.08.

That saves 6,595 lives!

The photo community has once again shown themselves strong by supporting the Thirst Relief Mentor Benefit Auction!

I am amazed at the level of generosity shown especially by the mentors! Many of you gave not just your 90 minute mentor session but also dvds, albums, photo shoots, workshop seats and more! Simply amazing. Thank you.

And thank you to all of you who bid! Once you make your payment your mentor will be given your contact information and they will contact you shortly.

Be sure to come by the Thirst Relief booth at WPPI #1565 and say hi. Also, some of your favorite photographers will be hanging around our booth so feel free to come by and visit you can also buy a Thirst Relief Shirt, bring $20 cash so we can get you sporting our colors around the show!

Lastly, Mike Colon and Jim Davis-Hicks will be making a big announcement at WPPI about an international workshop to benefit Thirst Relief so be sure to stop by the booth #1565 and inquire! It wont just be a workshop but an experience that will change your life and you just might get published in "Grace Ormonde, Wedding Style" magazine since we'll be doing a shoot for her while we are there!

2009 Mentor Benefit Auction, hosted by ShootQ

2009-01-28T02:26:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again! It's time for the 2009 Mentor Benefit Auction, hosted by ShootQ!

The mission of the Mentor Auction is twofold, to save lives and change the world by tapping into the incredible talent and generosity of the wedding industry and to create better and more successful photographers. To accomplish this goal we've asked some of the best and brightest in the wedding and portrait world to donate 90 minutes of their time and anything else they feel like giving to be auctioned off to the highest bidder!

100% of the proceeds directly benefit Thirst Relief International, saving lives and changing the world! Add to that the incredible wisdom and talent that is being shared in the one-on-one mentors sessions and you have better and more successful photographers! So, not only are lives being saved but the lives of many photographers are being made better! It's truly a win win for everyone involved!

For a complete list of this year's mentors visit the site, not all the names in the image above are participating in this year's auction.

How Ironic

2009-01-17T17:13:00.000-05:00

Rachel and Andrew Lacour-Niesen of Shoot Q, the amazing folks that are building the ALL NEW and Totally IMPOVED and CRASH PROOF WPPI mentor auction site (coming Jan. 29th, 2009) were really sick this past week? Why? Because the picked up a parasite while in India over the holiday's.

How ironic that someone who is building a site that will host the 2009 WPPI Mentor Auction gets a parasite from unsafe drinking water! Compassion is best learned through suffering I guess.

Reminds me of being up in the middle of the night with my youngest son while he cried in agony fighting acid reflux as a very young baby. I thought to myself "God why would you let me experience this, it's so hard? I'm trying to help people all over the world." I didn't really need an answer, simply presenting the question made the answer obvious. That night compassion was strengthened in my heart. My suffering had an end, for so many the end is simply death.

When you donate $5 to thirst relief your not just doing a little good, your truly providing hope and life to someone who is desperatly needing it!

Thank you to all who gave so generously in 2008! In three years time Thirst Relief has been able to bring nearly 100,000 people long term, sustainable, clean water solutions for less than $5 a person! Amazing! Thank you to all who make it possible through your generosity!

Flying toilets and more

2008-12-08T11:31:00.000-05:00

2008 was declared the International Year of Sanitation by the U.N. Water, sanitation, and hygiene are all inextricably linked in the effort to improve a community's health. Without safe water to wash hands after using the toilet, people can spread disease and become sick themselves. Without proper sanitary facilities, water sources easily become contaminated.

Several of Thirst Relief's partners implement sanitation projects alongside their water development activities. While sanitation can be a squeamish subject, it is an important one, since 2.6 billion people today lack the privacy and dignity of a place to use the bathroom. (World Health Organization)

This morning I ran across a really cool blog post on the subject, thanks to my Google news alert. When I read the term "flying toilets", I just had to share. But you'll have to click here to learn what a flying toilet really is. :)

Let's get creative

2008-11-03T11:58:00.000-05:00

There are lots of great ways to quench thirst and change lives this holiday season. You can send a Thirst Relief e-card like Jim mentioned in the last post. But here are a couple more creative ways you can get involved...

Help us win the Global Giving Challenge
Click here to check out Thirst Relief's Cameroon project, now posted on the Global Giving website! Here's the challenge: If we can raise at least $3,000 from 75 unique donors before November 21st, Thirst Relief will win a permanent listing on Global Giving's website. This will enable thousands of people to learn about and support Cameroon and other worthy projects. That means your gift of $10, $25, or $75 will not only help provide safe water in Cameroon, but it could lead to lots of other gifts too.

Enter the Westerville House Raffle
We've mentioned this before, but did you know the Westerville House Raffle will also be giving out cash prizes to entrants? First prize is the house, but you could also win $500, $1,000, $2,500, or even $10,000 in cash. And of course, Thirst Relief has been chosen to receive part of the raffle's proceeds, so by participating you are also supporting the cause of safe water. Tickets are $125. Click here to watch a story 10TV ran about the raffle.

Thanks!
Carol

UPDATE: We did not win the Global Giving Project Challenge, but we did raise $645 toward our project in Cameroon. That's enough to provide 8 biosand filters to families in need! We will also have the chance to participate in future challenges. Thanks to all who contributed.

2008-10-24T19:27:00.000-04:00

Tired of shopping for people who need nothing? We can help! Contact us at info@thirstrelief.org to learn how you can make a donation in honor of your favorite someone!

2008-09-23T14:50:00.000-04:00

Todd and Anne Ziem's water project leaders in Tanzania just returned from a few months back home in the states. We had the privilege of sharing our home and some meals with them while they were back! We gave them these shirts for some of the technicians and they sent us a photo of it! So great to see! It's the commitment and hard work of people on the ground that make our organization so lean and effective! Thanks guys for all you do!

Respectfully,

Jim Hicks

President and CEO

Improving Health, Changing Lives

2008-09-02T18:50:00.000-04:00

Hi from Cameroon, just to share this photograph from our project site with you. This is to thank Thirst Relief once more for their continous humanitarian work around the world. We are proud in Cameroon to be part of this change and representing Thirst Relief by constructing sand filters and other water projects is our priority. Since our partnership with Thirst Relief International, we have seen a great change in the lives of so many communities in Cameroon where we have worked so far. I will also continue to thank you, the donors who are making this possible. Life and Water Development Group - Cameroon is proud to work with Thirst Relief International and you can visit our website at: www.lwdgc-africa.org or http://picasaweb.google.fr/penjoka/KentzouProject#

Sincerely
Peter Njodzeka
Founder LWDG-Cameroon

WIN A HOUSE FOR $125!

2008-08-27T17:13:00.000-04:00

The website is WWW.WESTERVILLEHOUSERAFFLE.COM

This is legit, so if you'd like to enter a drawing to win a house for only $125 go for it! Procedes will benefit Thirst Relief International and a couple other organizations.

Making A Difference Together!

2008-08-19T13:54:00.000-04:00

This just came from our water partners in Zambia!

Thank you to all who give so generously to make this a reality.

Together we are making a difference!

We recently went into the compound of Mackenzie where 65 biosand filters have been installed, most of which were funded by Thirst Relief. The community leaders were overwhelmed with gratitude and continually expressed their joy at what a substantial change had occurred in their community. They went on to say that since the presence of the sand filters there have been no incidences of Cholera reported, a disease which previously ran rampant through the community. Several people whom we interviewed explained further that when they went out to work in the fields or to visit other communities they would take the water from the filter with them and would not drink from any unclean water source. It is evident that, because of the presence of the sand filter in their homes and the education of hygiene practices, the lives of these people have been radically changed. Although you already know the influence that your work has the capacity to do, we wanted to share with you the true scope of what it has done. What you have done has not only brought health but hope which is a much greater gift. The consistent support of Thirst Relief, in many ways, has opened the door for SHIP to impact the community in a more holistic manner because of the foundation of trust laid through the effectiveness of the biosand filters.

God bless you,

Kirk

Present Giver, Future Visionary!`

2008-07-16T17:50:00.001-04:00

This past week I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Abi Holmes and her loving family!

Abi heard about the world water crisis and thought "I have to do something to help!" So what did she do? She educated her own network and called them to action by making a challenge to her Sunday School program, the class to give the most would win a prize, her class won raising $32, the prize a roll of "life saver" candies for everyone! So creative, so fun and such a blessing!

In total her family and the Sunday school program raised $268! Saving nearly 60 lives!

Abby you were a delight to speak with and I hope that many will follow your lead. I also hope your fund raiser at school this year will be as or even more successful! You go girl!!!!!

The sky is the limit and thanks again for affirming why you chose us as the benefiting organization! Her mom said "We just wanted our dollars to count and after doing some research we discovered you were the leanest most effective water organization we could find!"

With great respect and admiration,

Jim Hicks

President and CEO

http://www.thirstrelief.org/

Cameroon Crisis Is Over, And Non-Stop Sand Filter Construction Project

2008-03-09T01:09:00.000-05:00

Hi All,

Just to assure everyone that the crisis in Cameroon is now over and live back to normal after a one week strikes throughout the whole Country from the 25th-02 February 2008. The strike was to ask the government to reduce the prices of basic commodities, taxes as life has become so expensive for Cameroonians. I am happy that the government is looking into the situation now. I also want to assure everyone that this situation did not in anyway disturb our sand filter project from going on in Nkuv, although it disturbed me from traveling. But I thank God everything is fine now and work is going on, the March project going on pretty well. I want to thank each and every one of you who's been praying for me throughout this period. Also thanks to each and every one of you who is making the Cameroon project successful and keep it up as we still have millions of Cameroonians that need your help of clean drinking water. Thank you again Thirst Relief International for being there.

Yours Peter Njodzeka
Cameroon Project Leader
CEO/Founder
Life & Water Development Group - Cameroon
Tel.: +237 77 71 62 88
E-mail: info@lwdgc-africa.org
Website: www.lwdgc-africa.org

The owner of this filter decided to put her hoe for farming and her bucket to show that clean clean water can give her good health and energy to be able to do her farming (she told us)

2008-02-15T01:43:00.000-05:00

61 Mentors

450 Registered Bidders

$33,546.55

10,500 LIVES!!!!

I am so proud of my photo community in the wedding and portrait industry! The support that has been shown to Thirst Relief International from some of the most influential photographers in the world has left me near speechless! All I can say is THANK YOU!

Jim (Davis) Hicks

President and CEO

http://www.thirstrelief.org/

2008-02-13T01:06:00.000-05:00

The bids are going back up as I type, they will be up for another day, closing in 15 minute increments one at a time starting on Thursday morning. Find the mentor you want to win the most, bid your MAXIMUM amount the first time if you can (the auction site will only bid you on proxy, meaning it will only up your bid if your being challenged, therefore you will not pay any more than you have to.)

Try not to constantly refresh, revisit etc. (I know this takes a ton of fun out of it, but we don't want another crash.)

Happy bidding and enjoy. We are already looking for other host options for next year's auction.
Thanks so much for your patience and support, we are so thrilled at the generousity and support of both the mentors and those bidding!

Together with you saving lives and changing the world.

Thirst Relief International

Fotoverite Auction Site Down

2008-02-12T22:26:00.000-05:00

IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED NOTICE THAT YOU WON A BID PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT PAYMENT TO THIRST RELIEF UNTIL THIS ISSUE HAS CLEARLY BEEN RESOLVED. WE WILL POST HERE ON OSP, PICTAGE AND ASK THE MENTORS TO POST ON THEIR BLOGS ETC. WHEN IT IS OK TO PAY AND THE AUCTION IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED. (IF YOU WON YOUR AUCTION BEFORE 8:32p.m. EST. YOU REALLY DID WIN, IF YOU WON AFTER THAT IT'S NOT FOR SURE WHO WON, WE'LL KEEP YOU POSTED ON WHAT IS RESOLVED.)

Davina is making dinner for her kids (not joking) and trying to manage this issue with the fotoverite site and leaving for her workshop in two days. Sooo, just know we are working with fotoverite to resolve the issue and try to get it back up.We DO NOT know when it will be back up, what auctions will have closed etc. but we'll do EVERYTHING we can to get the site back up tonight or tomorrow and if it's possible to we'll be reopening the auctions with an extension if it works out and is in the best interest for all involved.

Again, logon, put your VERY best bid in the first time, the site will automatically bid for you based on your proxy vote but you will not pay anymore than the absolute minimum next highest bid. Make sense?

Sorry for any inconvenience, in only our third year for the auction we had no idea there would be soooo many hits at one time and we took multiple precautionary steps to try to avoid this. Next year we'll do absolutely everything we can to avoid this situation!

Again, thanks to all who are bidding!

What a huge success it's gonna be when it's final! just for Matt!

SERVERS DOWN

2008-02-12T18:24:00.000-05:00

Thirst Relief Website is down.

I think when Kevin Kubota and Dane Sanders sent out their email blast at the same time it was just too much for them.

Not sure when they will be up but check out the rest of our blog for some current happenings.

Only 4 hours left to bid on your favorite mentor at this year's WPPI Thirst Relief Mentor Benefit Auction.

Thanks to everyone that is bidding and mentoring!

2008-02-08T23:24:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again, a whole bunch of top tier wedding photographers are donating their time for a very worthy cause. Thirst Relief International will be sponsoring it's third annual mentor auction this weekend for a chance to have a 90 minute one on one session with the photographer of your choice during the WPPI convention next month to help raise money to provide clean drinking water for the people who need it the most. The auction will start this weekend on February 9th and conclude on the 12th. You can sign up and pre-register now on the auction site,fotoVerite. There was a little confusion last year about the way the auction is run. I think most people are used to using eBay, which ends at a specific time, so people go in at the last second and place a higher bid (called sniping), not allowing someone else to bid even higher. This auction has an anti snipe feature so the auction doesn't end until someone is not willing to pay any more. Once the auction has ended, if there was a last minute bid, it extends the auction by a few minutes, allowing the person who got outbid, to place another bid, extending the auction by a few more minutes allowing the other person the same opportunity. This goes on until someone is no longer willing to bid higher which is the fairest way to run an auction and most like a real world live auction. I hope that makes sense.

CLICK HERE to register and see the entire list of mentors!

Thank you to all who volunteered their time and to all who will be bidding!

Cameroon Water Project

2008-02-06T13:20:00.000-05:00

Peter Njodzeka
CEO/Founder
Life & Water Development Group - Cameroon

Hi all,

My name is Peter Njodzeka, CEO/Founder of Life and Water Development Group - Cameroon working in partnership with Thirst Relief International. I am very happy to have come across TRI, because through them, we are able to change the lives and improve the health of hundreds of people and we are going to get millions of people saved. In Cameroon, clean water is a major problem especially in the local communities in the remote areas where there is no access to clean portable drinking water. LWDGC and TRI have been able to sign a long term agreement to help the communities in Cameroon and to introduce and implement the bio sand filter project to the 250 tribes of Cameroon. Bio Sand Filter is very new in Cameroon and we are very happy to have been the first NGO to introduce them to our communities. TRI have proven their work to many communities around the world and I think coming right to Cameroon is necessary because millions of Cameroonians especially women and children die everyday because they don't have access to clean water. With Bio Sand Filters, even the poor people in the forest are able to have good health.

We work very closely with the women associations of our communities because women are the source of development in every community, and we have been successful in every project with women groups and associations. We also have the mean who are more active, but with women, we strongly believe they are the able to bring a change once decided.

In local community in Cameroon, we are presently implementing the sand filter project funded by Thirst Relief, and the entire community, the old and the young are very active working together with LWDGC in the implementation process of their sand filters. Although there are other issues raised in the community, but our first target is to see that every household has access to clean drinking water i.e. owns a bio sand filter and use them properly. We have enough technicians constructing these filters, but we make sure we train the technicians in every community that we work so that they can be able to continue with the construction and expand to other communities.

Our strategy of implementation is working very well. Our believe is that once a filter is given to a family for free, some families might not know the value of it, and so LWDGC came up with a strategy that, because our communities normally have streams with sand and stones in them, we ask every household to produce the quantity of sand and concrete available for the construction and I was moved and happy to see very elderly people struggling to bring out the sand and concrete from the streams, and by so doing, we recognized how much they need these filters and we also believe that once assisted in the construction of your filter, you will take a very good care of it once installed in your home. But if we just build them for free and give everything for free, many families will not use them properly and children might not be able to even use them.

Cameroon is a very nice place and LWDGC is honored partnering with TRI to make this a reality by changing and improving the lives of those in need everywhere we go.

You can view the photos from Nkuv where we are presently working by clicking the following link: http://picasaweb.google.fr/penjoka/NkuvBioSandFilterProject
Thanks and you can contact me at any time for any question or advice.

Yours

Peter Njodzeka
CEO/Founder
Life & Water Development Group - Cameroon
P.O. Box 30370
Tel.: +237 77 71 62 88
E-mail: info@lwdgc-africa.org
Websit: www.lwdgc-africa.org

Photos from our bio sand filter project in Nkuv:

Ready to take off from Nkuv to Kumbo

McRodney Dinyuy, my first and only son

New sand filter

Fitting the pipe/elbows to pour a sand filter

He just got his new sand filter from TRI

Family and their new filter from TRI

Nkuv need good roads or repairs

No good roads at all

My son McRodney Dinyuy

McRodney would like to see a better world

Peter Njodzeka (left) LWDG Founder and Bio Sand Filter technicians, Cameroon

Mod of transportation of tools from site to site

A mother with her new born watch their filter constructed

Mrs Kongla and her twins and son got a filter from TRI

A Child babysitting a child

Mrs Bronhilda and her two weeks baby got a filter from TRI

They could not believe it was donated for free by TRI

Peter and Nkuv Nursery School children and their filter

Watching at their filter construction preparations
Contact us for more info and photos from Cameroon: info@lwdgc-africa.org

2008-02-05T13:35:00.000-05:00

The WPPI Thirst Relief Mentor Benefit Auction is coming soon!

February 9-12 the auctions will be live!

If your a photographer and you need a mentor and want to save lives at the same time, this auction is for you!!!

More details to come with a complete list of mentors (including Jim and Lara Davis-Hicks, Founders and President/CEO of Thirst Relief and high end wedding photographer.)

Remember bidding will not stop until the highest bid comes in, so if a new bid comes in the auction will just continue, it's not like ebay. Be on the look out for more.

2007-09-10T10:25:00.000-04:00

You just never know what is going on all over the place! Word simply spreads like wildfire when your doing a good thing! CLICK HERE to read another blog about "Sustainable Weddings" and note that in lieu of a table favor the couple donated to Thirst Relief International. I actually shot a wedding this past week that did the same thing! So cool!

The Home Stretch and Arrival!

2007-08-12T17:29:00.000-04:00

Our bicycle tour to raise funds for Thirst Relief International has concluded in Logan, Utah! We spent the past 10 weeks traveling the country raising awareness of the global water crisis and funds for Thirst Relief International. It has been an awesome adventure and we are very excited to have completed the trip. Our new address is 832 S. 1st Street, Montrose, CO 81401 and our phone is (541) 521-0054. It would be great to hear from any of you who have been following us throughout the trip.

We rolled into Logan yesterday after a 96 mile ride from Kemmerer, WY. We had one big climb, but it seemed to go quicker due to our motivation to get home. Bob, Jenny's dad, met us on his recumbent bicycle about 15 miles up Logan Canyon and we had a pleasant ride into town. Bob and Kathy set up welcome signs next to the road and we felt very happy to have such a warm welcome.

We spent the last week riding from Montrose to Logan. We were not able to do any blog posts because it was probably some of the most remote country that we've ridden through the entire trip. We had a couple 50-60 mile stretches where there were no services and we had to haul extra water. During these stretches we were praying extra hard for no flat tires or bike malfunctions. Happily, each day went very well and the bike performed excellently.

Our total mileage at this point is 4,718.5. It was hard to get exact numbers from state highway maps. We are committed to reaching the 5,000 mile mark and are planning a couple rides in Colorado to get there by the end of September.

We got a call from Jim Hicks, President of Thirst Relief International, yesterday and he announced the very exciting news that our fundraising efforts are getting close to the $10,000 mark!!!!

This totally exceeded our expectations and we are amazed by everyone's generosity. We plan to stay involved with the work of Thirst Relief and continue advancing their cause to "Save lives and Change the World." Thirst Relief International will still accept donations (tax-deductible) online or by mail. Check out their website at www.thirstrelief.org and sign up to be on their mailing list for more information about future events.

Here are a couple pictures from the tail end of our journey...

Sunrise outside Salida, CO

Fellow tandem riders

Utah Welcome Sign

Our trusty steed atop Monarch Pass

A tired Jenny and Scott after a big climb

A warning sign before a big climb

Much Love,
Scott and Jenny

It's so worth caring.

2007-08-10T09:51:00.000-04:00

A little over two years ago Lara and I, along with our friends Greg and Jennifer Gibbs and Gary and Karina Sammons and with the help of Mike Colon, David Jay and many generous donors, started an organization called Thirst Relief International. Our mission "Together saving lives and changing the world." How, by providing LONG term pure water solutions to those around the world that are dying simply because they lack access to clean water. WATER is one of the most abundant natural resource available to man, yet over 1.1 BILLION lack access to it. Often it's running in abundance right outside their door in a contaminated river, or it's 30 feet below their feet in an underground spring. However, without the proper tools to access and or purify this water these people are sick and dying. Nearly 25 MILLION deaths ANNUALLY are attributed to water borne diseases. So, why do I write this today? To call others to action! Inspire and say that WE can all make a difference if we simply care and are willing to help make a difference in this world. Since it's inception Thirst Relief Internatinalover has proivded 20,000 people with access to clean water, this from just a simple idea that is helping to change the world.Two years ago it was a handful of friends giving of time, money and energy to start a revolutionary water project, now it's a network of children, professionals, churches, businesses, individuals and our field laborers that continues to grow and make a difference around the world.

How can you get involved?

CLICK HERE to watch an awesome video by Nickleback that will inspire you to find someway to get involved in making a difference in the world!

A layover in our new home

2007-08-04T19:36:00.000-04:00

Well...reality is settling in and we are overjoyed to be moving to Montrose, Colorado. We arrived yesterday after a beautiful ride from Gunnison through the Curecanti National Recreation Area and along the Gunnison River.
With Kathy's help (THANKS) we connected with Pastor Hannenberg from Hope Lutheran here in town. He put us in touch with the Petersen family and they set us up with a very nice room in the Clubhouse at their golf course. They have even let us use their van as we ramble around town looking for a place top live. It would have not been fun riding around yesterday because a massive storm front caqme over Montrose in the early afternoon. I was able to stop in and see my future office and meet some co-workers. The department just recently moved into a newly-renovated historic building downtown. It's a great place to be and I am excited to be working so many great people. We had a great evening with the Petersen family last night and I learned a lot from Darren, a mortgage broker, about real estate investment and home buying.
After many calls and a few walk-throughs we were able to sign a month-to-month agreement with a local property manager. It's a small house about 4 blocks from downtown and in good shape. We see this as a temporary set-up (1-2 months) while we get to know the area and figure out what type of house and location will meet our needs. There are quite a few options and we are excited about the adventure of buying our first home!
We will leave Montrose on Monday morning after two and a half wonderful days of rest. We are planning on 7 days of riding to get to Logan. It is sad to think that the trip is winding down, but, as you can probably tell, we are very excited about the next adventures awaiting us as we settle in Montrose.
Please help us in this last stretch to get another surge of donations. Please post information or remind people you've told previously. It would be really awesome to hit the $10,000 mark in our efforts to bring clean water to those in need.
Lots of love,
Scott and Jenny

Pedaling along the Arkansas and over Monarch Pass

2007-08-01T19:46:00.000-04:00

Just a quick update...

First of all, we are now at $7,300 for the total funds raised. Thirst Relief says that $5 saves a life because a biosnad filter costs approximately $50 to construct and deliver. This serves around 10 people (Is that right Jim?). With those numbers, together we've been able to ensure that 1,460 people have clean water and can pursue a rewarding life without health complications from water-related diseases. Jim Hicks, Thirst Relief President, had a great idea to encourage donors to help us reach the $10,000 mark...Now that we are in Colorado we will be ascending mountain passes that are well beyond 10,000 feet (more on that below)...We hope this bicycle touring feat inspires donors to help raise $10,000 for Thirst Relief projects. What do you think?

As for the riding, on Tuesday we got into Pueblo, CO at about 11:00 am after a 55 mile morning ride. The day before we ended up going 118 miles to get from Tribune, KS to Ordway, CO. It was cloudy and flat so we thought it would be good get as close to Pueblo as possible.

Once in Pueblo, we went straight to the bike shop and talked to the folks there. We left the bike to be worked on and spent most of the afternoon walking around Pueblo. Had a nice lunch and shipped some things we didn't need back to Logan in a effort to lighten up before the mountains. We met up with Doug and Carolyn Westlund in Pueblo West and had some good time to visit with them. Carolyn made us a great spaghetti dinner and we visited their church in the evening.

The gave us some good advice and on Wednesday morning we headed west on Hwy 50 out of town. The rolling hills from Pueblo to Canon City were tough and it started to get hot. Then we had a long sustained climb out of Canon City for 10 miles. The heat intensified and we were both struggling. Unfortunately the creak in the bike was not solved at the bike shop in Pueblo so we had to listen to a "Wreeeeee.......Wreeeeeee.....Wreeeeee" while pedaling about 4 mph to the top of this climb. Once again we turned to prayer as a way to get strength for the challenge and God gave us what we needed. We had a quick break at the top to soak our shirts, which created a nice personal swamp cooler effect on the descent.

We descended for 5-6 miles and the rest of the day was spent on mainly flat with a slight incline along the beautiful Arkansas River. The Arkansas is a very popular whitewater rafting river and we were able to whoop and holler at the boaters as they went down. It was such a nice ride we decided to keep on until Salida which ended up being about 88 miles. We knew that Monarch Pass (11,300 ft.) was waiting for us so we wanted to close as possible so we could ride this monster climb before it got too hot.

We got to bed by 9:30 in Salida after a stop at the Simple Foods Natural Market. They had tons of good stuff and Jenny was so excited to get back into a natural foods store...it's great to be back in Colorado.

This morning we left at 6:00 am. It was a chilly start, but the climb started quickly and got us warmed up. Salida is at 7,036 ft and the summit of Monarch Pass is 11,300 ft so we were looking at a 4,300 foot climb in 21 miles. We got to the top at 10:15 am with an average speed of 6 mph!! We were just reflecting on the experience (now that we are resting in Gunnison, CO) and we both agreed it was one of the toughest things we've ever done. More prayers of thanks to God for keeping us safe and giving us the strength we needed to "get 'er done".

We rode 42 miles into Gunnison and are now enjoying the air-conditioned library. We're getting the bike looked at again and hopefully we can pinpoint where the creak is coming from. We'll stay in Gunnison tonight and then ride to Montrose in the morning. We are having a tough time finding a place to stay in Montrose because this weekend is the Olathe Sweet Corn Festival, which is apparently a huge deal and all the hotels are booked. We'll probably take a two-day break in Montrose and head out on Monday morning.

Thanks to everyone for your comments and encouraging words. We look forward to seeing some of you in Logan, but also having many of you come visit us in Colorado.

All our love,
Scott and Jenny

"Welcome to colorful Colorado..."

2007-07-30T12:00:00.000-04:00

...read the sign that greeted us this morning. A lot has happened since we laat posted. We had some tough days, some long days, a delicious home-cooked meal, and many answers to prayers.
After our first three arduous days of heat and hills in Eastern Kansas the landscape began to iron out and the clouds came rolling in. After our stay outside Overbrook we rode 80 miles to Herington where we camped at an RV park. There we encountered a family of skunks, which thankfully did not grace us with their perfume and after a bat swooped between Scott and I in the morning we decided it was time to head out. That day proved to be more than we had bargained for. We were headed for the town of Frederick, which as it turns out is not more than a grain elevator and train tracks. We thought we might stop east of Frederick at Geneseo so we dropped into the local cafe. The waitress let us know that the town was actually pretty run down and, with little opportunity for the locals, they was a prevelance of drug dealing, drug use, and other crime. Scott felt like this was clear direction not to stay there. So, even though it was the hottest part of a 90+ degree day, we headed on to Claflin, 25 miles down the road. We prayed and called the Sheriff to see what the cmaping options were in CLaflin. He said there was a great little park right by the swimming pool! When we rolled into the city park and swimming pool our odometer read exactly 100.00 miles. We were thankful to dive into the refreshing pool. Since we went extra long we had a shorter ride the next day to Bazine, at about 70 miles. There we stayed at Dan and Elaine's Bicycle Oasis, which is a cyclist only Bed and Breakfast. Thank you to Dan and Elaine for your hospitality!! We had a fabulous stay and an excellent pasta and chicken dinner!
Yesterday we headed out at 5:45 onto a flat landscape just before the sun rose and got to see the large orange moon set below the horizon. It was a relatively easy 112 mile day due to the terrain and clouds. Last night we stayed in Tribune KS, which is about 15 miles from the Colorado boarder. This morning we crossed the boarder with great excitement. The first miles of Eastern Colorado are much like Western Kansas, flat corn fields and yellow flowers dotting the roadside. But as we came over the rise after our rest stop in Sheridan Lake there was sage brush as far as the eye could see. The wave of sage scent flooded us with memories of our desert home. Now the plains are just beggining to give way to a sonata of hills and rises that will culminate in the grand finale of the Rocky Mountains. So after a very hard couple of days in eastern Kansas that nearly broke us, the past four days have been very encouraging and the joy of bike touring is restored. Hopefully this continues as the roads get steep again!!
Jenny and I have been finding fun ways to make the somewhat monotonous flat miles go by quicker. Jenny really enjoys squirting me with her water bottle and hearing me yelp when the cool water gives me the shivers. We also play a lot of '20 Questions' and we talk about memories from earlier on in the trip and plans for the future.
We were talking the other day (near the end of a 112-mile ride) and I said that it is wierd to feel on one hand as though I am in the best shape of my life and on the other hand to feel like my body is completely ravaged. We are really learning the importance of proper 'fueling' and how important it is to recover well by resting and taking in lots of carbs within the first hour after we stop riding. Scott continues to create new, wierder 'wraps' for snack breaks and meals...he can seemingly fit anything into a tortilla...one of his favorites is peanut butter, granola, prunes, and a little of our energy gel. It's also good to substitute a whole banana for the prunes : ) Don't knock it til you try it!
We will probably stay in Haswell, CO tonight and try to get into Pueblo tomorrow or the next day. We will try to post some pictures in Pueblo.

Awesome KC visit...now into the Plains

2007-07-25T15:22:00.000-04:00

Good afternoon from Overbrook, Kansas!

It is a balmy 95 degrees or so and Jenny and I are enjoying various air conditioned places here in this small Kansas town. We had a nice lunch of salad, apples, dried fruit, pretzels, granola, and Oreos (A big thanks to Aunt Sandy for helping us stock up with good food!). It was nice of them to let two stinky, tired people have lunch at their station. Now we are hanging out in the library downtown to avoid riding in the middle of the day.

We have been expecting hot weather and we certainly got a taste of it today. We were a little suprised that the hills we encountered in Missouri have continued in Kansas. We'll see if it flattens out in the next day or two. Tonight we plan to camp outside of town at a state park (Osage Lake).

We had a bike conundrum which thankfully didn't come up until just outside of Kansas City. I was planning on taking our bike in to get it cleaned up, tighten the timing chain, and get a new chain in the back, but as we were coming into KC the chain kept slipping off the middle chain ring. Jenny noticed that there was a section on the chain ring that was pretty dramatically bent and the chain was not hitting flush on 4-5 cog teeth. We struggled up some big hills in our big chain ring because I didn't want to shift into that gear and potentially make things worse. It looked pretty bad so I was nervous as we took it into the bike shop on our day off in KC.

Sandy took us to Bike America in Lee's Summit, MO and it turned out to be a great shop. Kevin looked at our situation and seemed to be confident that he could make things right. We left the bike with him and headed out for a day of seeing the sights in Cow Town, a.k.a. Kansas City. He called us in about an hour and said he had fixed it up...we were very impressed with his speed and when we went to pick it up, you could barely tell the skip had been there. He put it in a vise to straighten it out and also had to grind down one of the cog teeth where the metal was not cooperating. The new chain looks nice on the bike and he cleaned up our rear cassette. All day today the bike has worked really well. We are grateful for the skill that bike mechanics posess and we thank Kevin at Bike America for getting us safely on the road again. They also made an in-kind donation to 5,000 for Thirst by not charging us for labor. Go see them if you're ever in Lee's Summit. Incredibly, that's really been the only major bike issue on the whole trip. We have a wierd creak that shows up every once in a while when were going up a big climb, but I don't think that's major. Other than that, Firefly has held up extremely well!

We got to see some neat sights in KC and we're grateful that Sandy and Grandma were able to show us around. We had some KC BBQ downtown at the open air market, visited the restored Union Station, and stopped by the American Jazz Museum. It was a great day and it was capped off with another awesome experience. My cousin, Julie, and her husband, Wayne, invited us out for dinner and a ride on their new boat. Their two kids (Hailey and Ethan), Julie, Wayne, Sandy, Jenny, and I piled into the car, grabbed Subway sandwiches, and headed out to Smithville Lake. It was a beautiful night and there were not many boats out. After dinner and a few dives off the boat, we busted out the water skis. It has probably been 8 or 9 years since I last waterskied so I was a little nervous that I would embarass and/or hurt myself. But I got up on the first try and had a great time. I took some hard spills because I got a little too confident and tried to jump the wake : ) Julie and Wayne each got to ski and as the sun was setting Jenny decided to give it a try. She did awesome and got up on her third try for a short run. It was getting dark so we cruised back to the boat launch, but I have a feeling that Jenny will be up and carving the next time we get to go water skiing. Thanks to Julie, Wayne, Sandy, and the kids for a very memorable evening : ) We really hope we get to see our siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins' kids, etc. more often. Among many other things, this trip has shown us how important family is and how great it is to make memories with the people we love.

OK, I've stalled long enough we should probably get to our campsite. I will try to post an updated fundraising total soon. As for mileage, we are right at 3,500 miles!! If any of you know any people in western Kansas/eastern Colorado let us know. Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Love,
Scott and Jenny

Across Illinois and Missouri

2007-07-23T22:23:00.000-04:00

HILLS! Who knew Missouri had all these hills?

Since we left Mendota Thursday morning, we've been able to make up time for our day off due to weather and we really feel like we have our legs under us again. We've had great weather and even a little bit of a tailwind (heading west!) for the past couple days.

On Thursday we went 94 miles to Galesburg, IL. As we were rolling up to our campground we spotted a produce stand and picked up a fresh honeydew melon, some peaches, a tomato, and a green pepper. It was a great treat after a nice day of riding.

On our way out of Galesburg in the morning we got caught by a local cyclist who rode with us for about 15 miles. He gave us a good alternate route and we were really grateful for the local advice. We had a tailwind the whole day. We passed through Nauvoo, IL which is a really important historic site for the Mormons. It was a really unique experience to go through this town and see so many Utah license plates and big families. We didn't spend much time there because we wanted to get down the river further. It was very nice to ride along the big, wide Mississippi. Wespotted tons of herons, turtles, and saw some fish jump. We camped at the city park in Hamilton, IL. There was a pool at the park and we spent some time cooling off after a 92 mile day. It was fun to pull some flips and twists off the diving boards. I still get really excited when I can show off for Jenny. She humored me by requesting special dives and clapping when I attempted them.

That night we had a run in with a pesky racoon. I woke up in the middle of the night after a crash near the picnic table. After shining the flashlight over there, the racoon scampered off. I got out to check out the scene and realized that he/she had completely unbuckled our food bag, unrolled the duffel, and was muching away on the peanuts and cookies that we had just bought that night! I could barely sleep the rest of the night and every little noise caused me to jump.

We did not expect to get to our planned destination the next day because of our rain delay, but we got some great weather and I used that special incentive that magically makes Jenny's legs 10 times stronger....After I said that we could probably get a hotel room if we made it the 120 miles to Moberly, MO she seeemed to have a fire in her eyes that didn't let up until she hit the soft mattress at the Moberly Inn : ) We had a tail wind in the morning and beautiful rolling hills. Well, they were beautiful for the first 20 minutes or so and then they started to become tortourous. The hills did not let up the entire day and I was really amazed that we had the stamina to keep going. We had lunch at a Chinese buffet in Monroe City, MO and suffered through Chinese food burps the last 40 miles into Moberly (Sorry, maybe that is too much information : ). All in all it was a great, memorable day. We were sweaty and tired as we walked into the hotel, but we both had huge smiles on our faces!

Yesterday we rode from Moberly, MO to the Baltimore Bend Winery outside of Waverly, MO. I called Richard, the winemaker, and asked if we could pitch a tent outside their tasting room. He said that would be fine and we pushed through 15 hot miles in the afternoon to get there by 5:00 PM after a 85 mile day total. After a short tasting we bought a bottle to bring with us to Kansas City to celebrate with my aunt and uncle, grandma, and cousins. We had a very nice night with some of the best star views I've ever seen. The morning greeted us with a beautiful sunrise and we were off.

We rode 65 miles into Lee's Summit, MO today and arrived at my Grandma's house at 1:00 PM. It was actually a pretty tough ride with more hills (imagine that!). Thanks to Greg for the expert directions on bringing us into town, but I think he wanted to give us an extra little workout before our rest day by bringing us over some big rollers. Grandma treated us to a nice Mexican lunch and we had frozen custard for desert. We had a great KC BBQ dinner tonight at my aunt and uncle's house and we got to see all three of my cousins that I hadn't seen in over 5 years. It was great to catch up, see their children, and hear what's going on in their lives. I am so happy that we were deliberate about making family an important aspect of this trip. It has definitley reaffirmed my desire to stay in touch across space and time with those close to us.

It's been about 450 miles in 5 days...we've got a rest day tomorrow and hope to explore KC with Sandy and Grandma. Then it's westerward through Kansas to begin the steady climb to the Rockies. Colorado here we come!

Lots of Love,
Scott and Jenny

Rock n' Roll Weather

2007-07-18T12:53:00.000-04:00

Well, we've only been back on the road a day and a half and the adventures have already begun again!

We woke to grey skies and forescasts of rain on Tuesday morning at my Dad's house. He offered to give us a lift beyond the congested, narrow roads of suburban Chicago. We took him up on the offer and ended up being very glad we did. We drove to DeKalb, IL in rain and traffic on roads with little/no shoulders. A big thanks to Dad and Kris for their hospitality and for accomodating our unique bike touring needs. We love you and miss you already. We are very grateful for their support given to Thirst Relief International.

My Dad dropped us off at Northern Illinois University and we said goodbye in the rain. Five minutes later, the clouds broke and we were on our way. It felt so good to be back on the bike again. It will take a little bit to get the legs back and get over the saddle soreness, but we had a nice 47-mile ride to Mendota, IL. We decided to take it easy on our first day back on the road so we looked for a place to stay in Mendota...this is where the adevntures really began.

We saw forecasts for heavy storms that night so we wanted to get set up quickly. We stopped at the police station and they said we could camp 'out by the lake'. It is not always allowed, but they said we looked like trustworthy folks...they took our names and birthdays just in case : ) We got out to the park and set up our tent while keeping an eye on the dark clouds on the horizon. We could see rain off in the distance. We read for a while and then had dinner. During this time, the direction of the storm completely shifted and went around us to the south. We actually enjoyed some sunshine and a nice sunset before retiring for the evening. I fell asleep as Jenny read to me totally at peace. But this changed around 1:30 when we were both shaken awake by thunder and the most frequent lightning I've ever seen. The flashes were so rapid that I could make out Jenny's surprised face. Then the rain started.

Drizzling at first and then the thuder and lightning seemed to move closer and the rain intensified. At first it was kind of neat, but it didn't let up. The thunder was so loud and followed the lightning so quickly. Being in a tent, we felt so vulnerable and it seemed as though lightning was striking all around us. We laid awake for a while and made a couple quick dashes out to use the bathroom. We had purposely camped near the edge of the park to avoid being noticed and we were a ways from any shelter. The storm would let up for a little bit and then it would start dumping again. I didn't know what to do. The rain was beginning to soak through the tent and our sleeping bags were getting damp.

Jenny suggested that we call information and get the number for the police. We called during a lull in the storm and asked if it had passed. The operator said that it was just the beginning and a series of fronts were following this first one! After hearing our situation she said that we could stay at the police station for the night. She called an officer and they came to pick us up. We hurried to get everything in the patrol car, except the bike and the tent. We felt sorry leaving our trusty steed behind in the rain, but it wouldn't have fit.

We got to the station just as another wave of the storm hit. We got settled and even though we were inside, the thunder was loud enough to startle us. We slept on the floor of the City Council chambers...getting to bed at 3:00 AM after an hour and a half of intense storms.

We got up this morning and checked in with the receptionist about the forecast, When she brought in the print out and it said '70 - 80 mph winds' we decided not to ride today. They offered to let us stay for another night and even brought in a TV and some movies! We walked down to the library and it's kind of clear right now, but there are clouds coming in from the west. The storms are supposed to go through the night and early morning and then let up. It looks like we're in for good weather after this 'rock and roll weather'.

It was a wild experience and we are grateful to be safe and have shelter for tonight. We are amazed at how generous the Mendota Police have been. We will be watching the weather closely as we cross the Plains.

Talk to you soon,
Scott and Jenny

Day 36 to Day 50

2007-07-16T22:40:00.000-04:00

Two weeks off to relax, rejuvenate, and spend with family and friends...

Jenny on the evening of our two-year anniversary in Ludington, Michigan

Jenny dancing at the family reunion in Frankenmuth

Baseball in Wausau

Sign in Frankenmuth, MI at Bronner's, "The World's Largest Christmas Store"

Flower in Grand Rapids

Brother, Sister, and Me in Wisconsin

Yes, this is a cake with our picture on it...We enjoyed this lovely desert at the Behling/Bahling family reunion in Frankenmuth, Michigan.

H e l l o ,

Just a short update because not a lot has been happening on the bike since I last wrote...

We've had a two week break (has it been two weeks already?) in Michigan and Wisconsin. I am writing from my father's house in Libertyville, Illinois and we will be heading west on our bike tomorrow morning.

Our life in the past two weeks has been completely different than our five weeks of bike touring that brought us to the Midwest. After arriving in Grand Rapids, we had 6 days of hanging out with family, partying, driving, and not a lot of bike riding. We celebrated our 2-year anniversary in Ludington, Michigan at the Candlelight Inn and then headed back to Wisconsin on the ferry. My brother picked us up and we spent 5 days at a condo on a lake in Arkdale, Wisconsin. I got to play some tennis and golf, which was a nice switch from pedaling. We got to my dad's house last night and have spent the time resting and sorting through gear in anticipation of our departure for Phase Two of 5,000 for Thirst!!!

Jenny and I made a point to get out for some short-ish morning rides to stay fit, but our activity level dropped significantly. But we've been able to share the message of the importance of clean water with many people. Fundraising has continued and we are now well beyond the $5,000 mark. Thanks to generous donations and to many people who have told friends and family we have now raised over $7,000 for water supply projects!!!! Do you think we can hit $10,000???

I just finished printing out some information cards that we will use as we pedal back West. Hopefully these cards with our website and info about Thirst Relief International will help raise awareness and bring in more funds.

It's been wonderful to relax, but we are both ready to go again. We look forward to a day off in Kansas City, Missouri to see my Grandma Cook, Aunt Sandy and Uncle Greg, and the cousins. We'll also have a day off as we pass through Montrose, Colorado. This is where we are moving after the trip and we hope to find a temporary place to live as well as have dinner with my future co-workers. From there it is a big push to get to Logan, Utah by August 15th. Thank you all for your prayers and support...please keep it up. Talk to you soon.

Lots of Love,

Scott and Jenny

Quick Note

2007-07-09T11:09:00.000-04:00

Good Morning,

Here are two links to news spots from Grand Rapids. The Channel 17 piece was really good, but I can't find the video anymore. I'll post it if we find it. There's also a radio spot on the local NPR station that we can't find. Hope to get it up soon...
http://fox17.trb.com/news/070307-wxmi-bike,0,27050.story
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=77496

We are about to walk out the door to get up to Ludington, Michigan. Jenny and I are celebrating our 2-year anniversary today and I have set us up with a nice place to stay tonight. We will enjoy some alone time and then catch the ferry to Manitowoc, WI tomorrow at 8:00 AM. We plan to meet my brother, who flew in from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and drive to a cabin in central Wisconsin. We'll spend the next five days with my side of the family and then hit the road next Tuesday, July 17th.

We've had an awesome time here in Michigan and it is sad to say goodbye. I met a lot of great people from Jenny's side of the family. A big THANKS to Don, Jan, and Heather Stypula for their hospitality! THANKS to Denny andf Lori for hosting a great BBQ and get together yesterday! THANKS to Dan and Maggie for hosting the Behling-Bahling reunion in Frankenmuth. We got to see the world's largest Christmas store in Frankenmuth and stayed at a neat place with an indoor water park. It was great to see Bill and Laura (Jenny's brother and sister-in-law) and play with the kids.

We are extremely grateful for Bob and Kathy's help in making this trip a reality. They've helped us out so much and they are truly an example to us of what loving family is.

We spread the word about the global water crisis at all the events we've attended in Michigan. Thank you to all the family and friends that have listened and donated. Your support is invaluable and we hope to stay in touch as we head back West. I will be sending in some checks to Thirst Relief and I'm sure we've surpassed the $6,000 mark!! Hope to keep things going and continue positively impacting people's lives. Praise God for His mercy, greatness, and provision!

Lots of love,
Scott and Jenny

Welcome to Michigan!...It's all WEST from here!

2007-07-03T15:23:00.001-04:00

Greetings from Wyoming, MI!! We're just outside Grand Rapids at my Aunt Jan and Uncle Don's house. Their daughter Heather is here, too. In the next 24 hours my cousin Becka and her husband Jordan, my parents and my brother and his family will all arrive. We are so excited!

Today we just rolled 2800 miles! Wahoo!

After leaving Wausau on Saturday morning, we rode to Apple Creek campground outside of Wrightstown, WI. It was 112 miles. Long day, but lovely weather and not too hilly. We spent the first 50 miles on the MountainBay biking and hiking trail which goes from Rib Mountain near Wausau to Green Bay. It is a packed rock trail, so although it wasn't paved it was a very enjoyable ride. Thanks to the Sanford crew for that recommendation!

After we got off the trail we met a local recumbent cyclist who let Scott give it a try. I don't think he's a convert quite yet... sorry dad ;)

Sunday morning we rode to Manitowoc to catch the S.S. Badger carferry across Lake Michigan. On the way there we had to take a detour because they were doing a little road work...too bad our tandem doesn't come with a flotation device.

We were very excited to go on the ferry. We loaded our bike and enjoyed the 4.5 hour ride across the lake. After arriving in Ludington, MI we got some dinner and then rode to the house of Jerry Svendor who is my (let me see if I can get this right) great-grandmother's sister's grandson, or my second cousin once removed. Jerry gave us a lovely tour of his home and forested property and an unforgettable experience in his hand-built sauna. Thank you Jerry and congratulations on retirement and your cross-country motorcycle adventure!

Yesterday we rode from Ludington to White Cloud where we stayed in their very nice city park. At the cafe where we stopped for lunch we met a family (from Deerfield, IL about 10 minutes from where Scott's dad lives) who was interested in what we are doing and gave a donation to Thirst Relief. We continue to be amazed at the generosity and interest people show to us and the cause. We got lots of rest in White Cloud so we would be ready to spend time partying and reconnecting with family here.

When we were about 10 miles out we stopped for a break and a news car pulled up behind us. Our uncle Don had contacted to local TV stations and a local radio station to publicize our adventure and the cause. They followed us the rest of the way in and got some footage of us riding. Then we spent the early afternoon interviewing. ABC-WZZM 13 TV, WXMI-TV Fox-17, WGVU- NPR. Hopefully we'll have some links up soon. The interviewing is almost as tiring as riding...I hope we represented the cause well and people are inspired to contribute. The news pieces should all be on this evening.

We are very excited to be here and have time to relax and spend with family. We have a break for the next six days to see various family members around Michigan. This break will be very much appreciated, but I expect we will be ready to go after some good rest.

2,500 Miles!

2007-06-29T15:15:00.000-04:00

Encouraging sign in North Dakota

Fixing a flat in Rugby, ND

Pelican Rapids, MN (Cool little town with a big pelican)

Pretty lake in western Minnesota

No offense to Mother Mary, but Jenny is the "Lady of the Hills" on our bike :)

Halfway thumbs up!

The odometer says...2,500 miles

Nice barn and silo in Wisconsin

Jenny and our sweet niece, Anina

Jenny and our nephew Elliot groovin in the living room

My sister, Amanda, and her daughter, Anina

Greetings from Wausau, Wisconsin! It is Friday, June 29th and yesterday, on our ride into town, we hit 2,500 miles. It was an emotional event and we had many hugs and shared our thoughts on how gracious God has been in bringing us safely this far.

After a great ride in the morning from Turtle Lake to Bruce, Wisconsin, we stopped and chatted with the very nice folks at WLDY-WJBL radio in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. I think our interview was on the local news yesterday, but I can't find it online. They gave us good advice on backroads to get to the Chequamegon National Forest and we headed out. I was impressed that there is National Forest land in central Wisconsin. We enjoyed a cool breeze at our back and great scenery of rolling hills, forest stands of aspen and pines, and small farms tucked into the woods. We have seen many Holsteins and dairy farms.

One of our favorite activities is greeting the cows that we have seen along the way. As we pass a herd, we typically shout out a greeting, but it is important to note that the greeting varies depending on what state we are in. When out in the cowboy territory of Idaho and Montana it's a "Heeeya there cows, gettalong there, heeeyaa." In North Dakota it was a "Oh dem are some nice lookin cows der, you betcha." In Minnesota it's "Hey der cows." In Wisconsin it's "Go Packers!" and all the cows mooo and raise their mugs of Miller beer.

We had a great campsite along the Miller Dam Flowage (apparently they call reservoirs, "flowage" here). We were very excited to get to Wausau so we started early on Thursday morning. We hit 2,500 miles after about 60 miles and got to the Sanford's house at 12:00 after a 70-mile day.

We are currently enjoying a day off in Wausau to be with the Sanfords (Matt, Amanda, Elliot, and Anina). They have been wonderful hosts. We had great mango-coconut smoothies when we got here and an excellent tamale dinner last night. Matt had a big nursing test this morning and he is now a certified nursing assistant...Congratulations! The rest of us went out to pick strawberries and came back with a full load for various concoctions. Jenny and I rode down to the bike shop and got the wheels trued and some fresh grease on the bottom brackets and brakes. Thanks to City Bikeworks for their skilled labor!

It is so much fun to play with our nephew, Elliot, and spend time getting to know Anina, our 3 1/2 month old niece. Matt and Amanda are very good parents and we have enjoyed learning from and observing them. We're looking forward to a fish taco dinner tonight! Back on the road tomorrow morning hoping to get to Freedom, WI and then to Manitowoc, WI to catch the S.S. Badger across to Michigan on Monday, July 2.

Bob Bayn, Jenny's Dad, wrote a short letter to the editor of the St. Cloud Times. Thanks for watching out for us Bob! You can see it at http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007106250056.

Hope you all are enjoying the summer so far! We are feeling very appreciative of all we've been able to see and do during this '5,000 for Thirst' adventure. Their have definitely been some trying times...huge climbs in the Rocky Mountains; hard, cold rain in central Idaho; 25 mph crosswinds blowing us off the road in North Dakota; extreme heat and humidity in western Wisconsin...but we trust in God and pray to Him regularly. He deserves praise and thanks for keeping us safe and for leading us on this journey. He also deserves praise for the amazing work that Thirst Relief International is doing to help people who face challenging circumstances.

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He does not grow faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary; and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

With Love,
Scott and Jenny

Wisconsin, Heat,Casinos, and Radio Interviews

2007-06-27T11:28:00.000-04:00

Good morning from Bruce, Wisconsin! We are back in my home state...America's Dairyland. Since Pelican Rapids, we had a great time riding through Minnesota. The landscape changed pretty drastically from the North Dakota flats and the lakes, trees, marshes, and rivers add to the enjoyment of riding. We've seen a lot of deer and many different types of birds.

On Saturday we rode from Pelican Rapids to Long Prairie. It was hot, but we had a rest day planned so we pushed through the entire 97 miles by 3:00. We were greeted by a cool little coffee shop/butcher/meat market (only in the Midwest!). Jenny got a peaches and cream smoothie and declared it a definite highlight of the trip. After a laundry stop we pedaled to the local RV park to camp for the night. On Sunday, we took a rest day...slept in (to 7:00), had a leisurely breakfast (energy bars), and went to church. We spent the time after church looking for an air-conditioned building to hang out in. We had a good time reading at a local restaraunt and then got some groceries. We got to relax the whole afternoon...it was wonderful. The temperature was between 85 - 90 so we were grateful for our spot in the shade and the breeze.

Monday was a good 70-mile ride to Milaca. They did not have camping so we stopped at the Super 8 for the night. The ride from Milaca to Turtle Lake yesterday was one of the most intense days of the trip. We walked out of the hotel at 6:15 and it was already 80 degrees! By 9:30 we saw a sign that said 92 degrees...no clouds and extremely humid. We took a long break in a malt shop in Taylors Falls, MN. I had an espresso malt that was marvelous. After lunch we headed out of town and crossed the St. Croix River into Wisconsin. After one big climb in that heat, I was questioning whether or not we should even be riding that day. We stopped to consider the options and some clouds started rolling in so we decided to keep on. We had a little shade on the 24-mile ride from the border to Turtle Lake, but I don't remember how intense the humidity can get. Jenny said, "Scott, I miss the desert. Remeber the desert where it's cool." When we stopped at the air-conditioned library in Turtle Lake after 90 miles in that heat it felt like Heaven.

We called the local casino and asked if they had tent sites. They did and they included use of the hotel's pool and $5 back if we went into the casino and signed up for the "Player's Club". We dropped our things at the tent site and I practically ran over to the pool. Had a great time soaking and cleaning up and then headed over to the madness that is "St. Croix Casino". We both signed up for the club and got a voucher for $5 each. Since the campsite was only $10 and the temptation to gamble did not grab either of us, we cashed in and ended up staying for free. Best of all, it was 2-for-1 at the buffet. We enjoyed fresh salad, ham with sauerkraut, BBQ ribs, salmon, pasta salad, and too many deserts to name. I think we got our money's worth : ) It worked out really well.

We are 45 miles into our day today and stopped here in Bruce to pick up one of our re-supply packages. We were walking over to the grocery store and ran into a gentleman that runs the local radio station. We told him about the cause we are riding for and since we will be going right by the station he asked us to stop by for an interview and some pictures. They have an internet site so I'll send a link once it's up.

It is so impressive to see how receptive people are to the cause of bringing clean water to impoverished communities. It seems like something everyone relates to and, since it is necessary to life, it is a tie that binds us all.

We are very excited to be close to Wausau, WI where my sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and niece live. We hope to get there tomorrow and take Friday off to hang out with them before continuing on to Lake Michigan and the highly-anticipated ferry ride! Plans are to be in Grand Rapids, MI on July 3 so we can join everyone for July 4th festivities at the lake.

I'll try to get some pictures up in the next few days.

Talk to you soon.

Scott and Jenny

Cost-Calorie Analysis and other Bike Touring Thoughts

2007-06-22T16:30:00.000-04:00

Good afternoon from Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Yes, that's right, MINNESOTA!!! No offense to our North Dakota friends, but there's not a whole lot going on in ND except for wind, mosquitos, and huge farms. We enjoyed our time there, but we were happy to cross the Red River outside of Fargo this morning and get into the "Land of Ten Thousand Lakes".

We had three big days in a row and decided to do an easier 60 mile day today. We finished off our time in ND with a 90-miler into Fargo and then a great tune-up at Island Park Cycles. It was a great feeling to get on this morning with a new chain, new tires, and dialed-in brakes and shifters.

I thought I would depart from the normal trip updates and fill you all in on some of the unique things that we've learned while riding our bike across the country. One of the big things is the Cost-Calorie Analysis that I undertake every time we stop to get food. Usually we just fill up water, use the facilities, and get going, but every once in a while we'll be feeling low on the ole blood sugar and need a boost. I do a little browsing and review the nutirtional info on various snack items. Actually, I don't review the nutritional info or ingredients completely, just the calories. Then I check the price and see what kind of deal I'm getting for the money : ) This morning I had a latte and two day-old doughnuts (probably shouldn't become a habit). The doughnuts must have been at least 300 calories each and they were only...are you ready for this?...$0.59!!! That's a $1.08 for 600 calories. I did the analysis and I liked the results. Fruit pies rank high in the cost-calorie analysis too. Usually around $0.89, these babies pack in 450 calories of sweet goodness : ) I think the ultimate example of cost-calorie analysis is the 2/$1.00 Hostess Choco-Diles (chocolate-covered twinkies) that I found in eastern Montana. At 400 calories each, I barely had room for dinner. (DISCLAIMER: I am a strong advocate for organic, sustainable agriculture and food production methods. I enjoy fresh, healthy food. I do not plan on continuing these dietary habits into the future, but we are often confronted with the fact that it is difficult to get quality food from gas stations. I realize biking 5,000 miles is not an excuse to abandon healthy eating habits, but I'm enjoying it : )

While I am riding and dreaming of all the potential meal options, Jenny seems to care more about showering. I have a hard time understanding this. She is happy with a piece of lettuce and some pickles as long as she is clean and fresh. But we are not always 'clean and fresh' which brings me to my next point. Can you think of four things that would put you in an irritable state? How about tired, sore, hungry, and sweaty? Now think about bike touring...we are pretty much in this state 8-9 hours of the day, but that's the beauty of it. As I said in my last post, we appreciate the simple things so much more. We are also learning how to make decisions together under stressful circumstances and how to laugh at ourselves. I am learning how to give Jenny support and encouragement in meaningful ways and she is teaching me that not everything needs to be go-hard-as-you-can all the time.

We are learning to highly value public libraries and parks.

We are seeing that a simple smile, wave, or thumbs up from a stranger can greatly enhance your attitude.

We value quality road construction and maintenance (something we may take for granted in a car).

We are learning that a song, either a silly improvisational song or an inspirational hymn, can give strength in tough times.

Also, as I've seen many broken glass bottles along the side of the road, I think about how someone made a conscious decision to throw that garbage out the window and how that could drastically alter our day (flat tire) and/or potentially harm us. Then I think about how all the decisions we make have potential impacts on others...I want to consider those impacts before I make decisions and be sure I try to minimize the negative impacts I have on others.

There you go, some of the many things we are experiencing and/or thinking about while riding. God is leading us every pedal stroke of the way and above all we are seeing that He is good and He deserves our respect, praise, and love. The scenes we've taken in and the gracious people we've met are small expressions of God's infinite love and we are grateful.

The new total for the '5,000 for Thirst' fundraising efforts is $5,868.00. Incredible! Thank you all for your support. We hope to get some more media coverage in Wisconsin and Michigan so I'll keep you informed on that.

Lots of love,

Scott and Jenny

Day 23!

2007-06-20T17:34:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Thanks for all your encouraging comments and for taking time to say hi. It is wonderful inspiration to hear from the people we love while in the middle of nowhere!

I wanted to share a little story that we encountered while in eastern Montana. I picked up the local paper and read about a small reservation community that was having major problems with their water supply. Apparently an employee mixed up similar blue containers and instead of putting in chlorine to treat the water, they poured pesticides in the tank. People started showing up sick and they finally figured it out. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had to come in and shut the system down to clean it. People had to drive 25 miles to haul water each day. They inteviewed one mom who said it wasn't fair and complained about the hassle of hauling water for kid's baths, etc. That really hit home the purpose of this trip. Whenever we talk to somebody about why we're doing this, everyone always agrees that clean water is something we take for granted...until we don't have it. We feel so fortunate to be able to use this adventure to provide this basic necessity to those who don't have it and, by doing so, open up doors for success in other areas (education, jobs, etc). Keep up the good work Thirst Relief!!

As for riding...We left Williston after some great time with the folks at Concordia Lutheran. We made it 50 miles or so towards New Town and the clouds opened up. Got drenched for about 15 minutes and then had a sprinkle the rest of the way. It was a hilly ride and we were very happy to get to town.

There was supposed to be showers in the morning on Monday, but it was just windy and cloudy so we set out at about 7:00 AM. It was great fun for the first 52 miles with a 25-30 mile tailwind! We averaged about 19 mph...until we turned north! We turned north to go to Minot and the crosswind was tossing us all over. Thankfully, there was a wide shoulder and two lanes each way. It rained a bit, but wasn't too bad. Jenny got in touch with the Pastor from Williston and he called a woman he knew in Minot. Mariea very graciously took us in for the night. We heard some hunting stories and saw all the great carpentry work that her husband, Leonard, had done. She fixed us wild pheasant with mushrooms and rice...delicious!

After an early start, we were rolling in to Rugby, ND and got the first flat of the trip. 1,760 miles isn't bad. We ate lunch and I patched the tube. Rugby is the geographic center of North America so we got some pictures by the landmark and headed out. We wanted to do a big day and take advantage of the good weather. We rolled into Minnewaukin at 5:00 PM after 124.77 miles!! It was our biggest day, but we both felt really good. We felt so good, we walked over to the local pub for happy hour : )

We just finished up our 23rd day on the road (22 days of riding). We are in Cooperstown, ND...a nice little town about 80 miles west of Fargo. It was a pretty hot day, but we got most of the miles done in the morning. We took some time to try some new approaches to videoing our trip...I tired to attach the tripod to our handlebars and then we passed the camera back and forth. We are getting pretty good at multi-tasking while riding, but we're sure to do it only on empty country roads. We also took a dance break during the middle of the day to loosen up the legs!

There's a great campsite at the City Park with showers and Jenny is enjoying a pina colada smoothie as I write this. We really enjoy those simple pleasures now more than ever...you can't imagine how great it feels to lie down in the shade after 100 miles of riding in the prairie sun. I hope we continue to treasure these simple joys in life even when we get back into the "normal" working routine.

We plan to be in Fargo tomorrow. We've heard there's a good bike shop in town so I am going to see if we can get the chain cleaned and checked. We'll be a whole three days ahead of schedule if we get to Fargo tomorrow.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Love,
Scott and Jenny

Happy Father's Day from North Dakota!

2007-06-17T09:09:00.000-04:00

Our friends, the Nelsons (Claire, Pastor Matt, Diane, and Andrew)

Over the Divide...all downhill from here : )

The mountains of Glacier National Park

A big milestone!
Our 1,250 mile celebration

Recumbent tourist, Phil, in Wolf Point, MT

Flower in the Draper's garden

Jenny and the Drapers at the spillway of Ft. Peck Dam

Roadside Coffee Break...great service.

Bainville (or Baynville), Montana

Into North Dakota...finally!

Happy Father's Day to our dads, grand-dads, and all the other wonderful fathers we know! And greetings from North Dakota! Our last update was from Chinook, MT. A lot has happened since then. We actually made our way out of Montana! That is one huge state. I kept saying to people "When we were in Montana" when referring to Missoula or Columbia Falls and then catching myself because we were STILL in Montana. So, crossing that state line (and into the central time zone, ugh, losing another hour of sleep) was a great excitement!

After arriving in Chinook we found our way to a City park where we were able to shower and camp for free. I got to chat with some of the local kids who had been playing at the swimming pool next door. Then we made our way into our tent early to have dinner in the tent because the mosquitos were bad and it was just starting to rain. Scott, a sometimes messy eater, decided that he should be that careful all the time about trying not to make a mess and we also determined that eating in the tent would not be a good thing to do in bear country ;)

Thursday we rode from Chinook to Hinsdale, which was 112 miles, even though we had prepared for only 87 miles. We left at 6am and were originally going to go to Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs, which is the big thing in that part of the state. It would be an 87 mile ride. However, we were less than excited to stay there. It was not very clean and the hot springs were not much warmer than bath water. So, we continued another 11 miles to Saco and that town didn't have much either. The only place to camp was a small spot of grass between the highway and the railroad tracks.

Scott, being the knight that he is swept his princess back on our trusty steed and continued down the road. It was another 14 miles into Hinsdale and, although we were weary and the road was long, we made the best of it and actually enjoyed that last bit. I reminded myself and Scott that it was better than sitting in a cubicle on a Thursday afternoon ;) We even had some time to create a new song...watch for the upcoming album release.

Arriving in Hinsdale we had intentions of camping, but we met a woman named Jean as we passed the post office who was on the council of the local Lutheran church and offered that we stay in the basement for the night since the mosquitos were usually so bad. We were very thankful and gladly took her up on her offer. It was a blessing to be indoors and have a real bathroom and kitchen. We also got to meet Pastor Troy who was a hoot. We had a good discussion and thanked him for his hospitality. Although it was one of our longest days it was one of the best because we both really felt like we were in agreement about our decisions and were able to keep a good attitude in the face of uncertainty and challenge. God has continued to prove his guidance and care for us.

Friday we left by 6 am again and rode 30 miles to Glasgow just in time for the post office to open so we could pick up our next resupply box. Thank you Mom and Dad! Then we rode 48 more miles to Wolf Point where we had a contact with Pastor George Draper and his wife Gerry. We got in before noon and met a westbound recumbent tourist as well as the other local Lutheran Pastor who is also an avid tourist. We chatted with them for a while and had some lunch before making our way over to the Drapers. They are a wonderful couple and were so very generous and hospitable to us. They let us shower and do laundry and then took us for a drive out to Fort Peck to see the 5 mile long earth-filled dam and spillway. We went to the interpretive center and then they took us out for dinner at the historic Fort Peck Hotel. We could not thank them enough for all they did for us. They even stopped along the road the next day on their way to Williston to give Scott some hot coffee.

Yesterday morning we left at 7am to begin the 97 mile ride to Williston North Dakota. It was a long hard day of hilly riding into the wind (I thought that wasn't supposted to happen until we started heading west ;) Once we arrived in Williston we decided to get our second hotel and dinner out of the trip. We enjoyed it a lot! Last night and this morning it has been raining and thundering so we are going to church this morning and then may try to make a few more miles if the rain breaks. We hope to be in Minot, ND within the next two days.

Happy Father's day again and God's blessings to all of you!

Scott and Jenny

1,250 Miles!

2007-06-13T17:55:00.000-04:00

Although a seemingly obscure number, we hit 1,250 miles today and had a jubilant celebration in the middle of nowhere eastern Montana. The cows must have thought we were a little off our rocker as we jumped, high-fived, and hugged on the side of the road. 1,250, for the mathematically challenged out there, is 25% of 5,000!! Amazing that we are already a quarter of the way to our goal.

We just rolled into Chinook, MT. A neat little historic town on the fringe of the Bear Paw Battlefield where Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce tribe were finally subdued after a 2,000 mile march and a couple of victorious battles against the American cavalry. Hope to drop in the museum before it closes and learn more about the area.

We were very sad to leave the Nelsons as we set out from Columbia Falls. They are an awesome family and a wonderful example to us. There is even a rumor that Andrew (their 13-year old son) hopes to ride to the Canadian border and now even Pastor Matt is exchanging chaps and the Harley for a good old-fashioned man-powered bike. Thanks for everything Pastor Matt, Diane, Claire, and Andrew!

We made it to East Glacier after riding along the Flathead River and the south end of Glacier Park. It is sad not to be able to hop off the bike and go hang out with some grizzlies in the backcountry, but we pledged to come back and really experience the Park. We camped at a cool little hostel/bakery/grocery. In the evening, we sat on the deck, ate dinner, and watched the sun go down over the breathtaking mountains of Glacier National Park.

Arose early and headed out on Tuesday for a big day. We knew it was all downhill to Cut Bank, MT and the morning greeted us with cool weather and a strong tailwind. We took Cut Bank by storm and rode to Chester, MT after 117 miles of flats and wind. After two weeks of averaging around 13 mph in the mountains, it was a great feeling to average 18.5 mph even after having to deal with some construction. It didn't even seem fair to be going so fast for so long...the wind carried us and we can not take credit for that.

The land between East Glacier to Havre, MT was wide open prairie. All directions...nothing but prairie. Immense and humbling. As we were riding I realized how small we were in the midst of this vast place. I developed a favorite habit of yelling at the top of my lungs. Really, I could not remember the last time I yelled as loud as I could (do you?) so I just let it out. Jenny laughed for quite a while and then tried it...a pretty wimpy yelp at first, but then she got out a hardy noise. After all our yelling and comotion, things are still pretty quiet out on those huge, empty plains.

We camped at the city park in Chester last night and did an easy 82-mile day today. We stopped to rotate our tires in Havre and ended up meeting the Mayor of the town who officially greeted us by sharing two homemade cookies. There was some live music in the park (mostly 70's classic rock covers) and we had a nice, simple lunch. The band closed with 'On the Road Again' as we pedaled out of town : )

Now we are off to the park. It is amazing to me how towns have been so welcoming and we are so appreciative of public spaces. The value of parks is becoming more and more clear to me as we travel and look for spots to rest and/or spend the night.

Looks like we will be shooting for some hot springs tomorrow and then on to the North Dakota border. Thanks for saying hi and for all the encouragement. Hope things are well with all of you. Talk to you soon.

Love,
Scott and Jenny

Thirst Relief International

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Letter from the Director of Operations

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Behance Blogs About Thirst For More Tour

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You Deserve the Credit.

Tell the world what happens when people care.

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Shoot Q and Thirst Relief

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The recession hits Thirst Relief's projects

Flow: the documentary

Cholera = preventable, water-related disease

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Thanks for helping us raise $25,392.08.That saves 6,595 lives!

2009 Mentor Benefit Auction, hosted by ShootQ

How Ironic

Flying toilets and more

Let's get creative

Improving Health, Changing Lives

WIN A HOUSE FOR $125!

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Present Giver, Future Visionary!`

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SERVERS DOWN

Cameroon Water Project

The Home Stretch and Arrival!

It's so worth caring.

A layover in our new home

Pedaling along the Arkansas and over Monarch Pass

"Welcome to colorful Colorado..."

Awesome KC visit...now into the Plains

Across Illinois and Missouri

Rock n' Roll Weather

Day 36 to Day 50

Quick Note

Welcome to Michigan!...It's all WEST from here!

2,500 Miles!

Wisconsin, Heat,Casinos, and Radio Interviews

Cost-Calorie Analysis and other Bike Touring Thoughts

Day 23!

Happy Father's Day from North Dakota!

1,250 Miles!

Thanks for helping us raise $25,392.08.

That saves 6,595 lives!