Six kilometres is a long way to walk for water when you're thirsty.That's why the owners of the Elite Aveda Salon in Humboldt, its employees, families, friends and even dogs joined hundreds of other supporters across Canada in Aveda's "i walk for water" fundraiser on Earth Day, April 22."Our goal for the salon was to raise $4,000 this year," said Vicki Washburn, one of the co-owners of the Humboldt salon, before the walk. "And as of right now, we are sitting at $3,000."By the time everything was totalled, that number had reached over $4,000.WaterCan is a Canadian charity dedicated to fighting global poverty by helping the world's poorest people gain access to clean water, basic sanitation and hygiene education. "We actually teach people in Ethiopia and other eastern African countries how to build wells," explained Washburn, "and how to sanitize water."Over the past five years the Aveda network in Canada has raised over $1.2 million dollars in support of WaterCan's clean water and sanitation projects, changing the lives of over 48,000 people."One of the reasons we get the kids to come out is because in these countries, people walk for six kilometers to get water," Washburn said. "We want them to get a sense of what it's like to walk that far just to get water.""And," she added, "not in the easy conditions that we have here." Each stylist at the salon has been fundraising for the walk, but Washburn said one stylist had already raised $750 alone."Melissa (Prystupa) always supports her clients when it comes to attending jewelry parties and things like that," said Washburn. "So she saw the opportunity to ask them to support something in return."When questioned, Prystupa just smiled and said she was a good salesman.As well as raising funds for the walk by sponsors, the salon was able to bring in extra money with three special draw prizes donated from three Humboldt businesses.The walkers were lucky this year, too, with warm weather and sunny skies making the outing a fun family event for all involved.All those who participate in the annual "i walk for water" across Canada help bring awareness to a cause that in turn helps people in drought-stricken countries get one step closer to having a healthier life.
