Bay Village, Ohio — The event is about a month away, but Bay Area high school sophomore Lucy Gillette, co-chair of the Walk for Water fundraiser, wants to start spreading the word to encourage Support for activities. Lucy is a member of the BHS Key Club, which sponsors the fundraiser.
Here’s what she had to say about the incident, in her own words:
Bay High Key Club is changing lives one step at a time with Westerly K-Kids and Bay Middle Builders Club. Sponsored by Kiwanis of Bay Village, these youth service organizations aim to develop leadership skills in young people through service to others. Our Go for Water goal is to help end the global water crisis by raising $18,000 through our Sunday, May 1 campaign. We partnered with the world’s leading youth water campaign organisation, the Thirst Project, in an effort to raise the funds needed to build a freshwater well at eSwatini, (formerly known as Swaziland). Every dollar we raise goes directly to building wells in this southern African country. In these communities, women and children walk an average of 3.75 miles a day to fetch water. Not only is the distance challenging, but the water is not clean and used by animals. Dirty water often leads to illness or death. Because women are walking, they don’t have the opportunity to get a higher level of education or work to help support their families. Children do not have the opportunity to go to school and receive an education. These people are not only deprived of water, but also of education. In addition, these communities do not have easy access to a COVID vaccine, so healthy water is especially important in preventing and spreading this deadly disease. Water also allows families to grow their own gardens for a reliable source of food. By providing these communities with a well, it will revolutionize their lives and provide a brighter future.
Each community well costs $12,000, and the local community helps support the construction of the well and is trained to maintain the well. Each well is expected to last more than 40 years. The Kiwanis family is aiming to raise $18,000 this year to provide 1.5 wells, and last year it raised enough for one well during the pandemic. Our biggest event of the year is May 1st at Bay High School from 8am to 8pm where we will be holding a Walk for Water. The community was invited to walk a 3.75-mile sidewalk to simulate the daily journey women and children walk on eSwatini. Ask each adult walker to donate $15 and children (12 and under) donate $10 to help raise money for the cause. Order before April 13 for an extra $15 for the “Swag Bag,” which includes a Walk for Water shirt and other goodies. Sign up at Hometown Ticketing starting April 1 at tinyurl.com/4fh3vhkn. The Thirst Program Committee is co-chaired by sophomores Lucy Gillette and Mary Catherine Murtaugh. Committee members include Elise Kelley, Anna Mayer and Amy Burgy. We’re so excited about Walk, and we hope you’ll join us in helping end the global water crisis and transforming the lives of future generations.
Pancakes, please: The Kiwanis Club in Westlake will be serving a pancake breakfast at the Westlake High School Cafeteria on April 3 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Tickets will be available at the door and can also be purchased from club members. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, coffee, orange juice and milk.
Proceeds will benefit the Westlake Kiwanis Youth Foundation, which supports scholars-
For Westlake High School seniors, High School Key Club, Middle School
Builders clubs and various projects affecting the youth of the city.
Crush Day: Rocky River residents can bring their paper products to the City Hall parking lot (access from Wagar Road) on April 9 from 9-11 a.m. (or until trucks are full) for recycling.
Photo ID is required to verify city residency. Limit two standard size boxes per household. No commercial material will be accepted. No need to remove staples. Those bringing recycled items should stay in their car. All items used for shredding will be removed and placed in containers. Boxes must be placed in the trunk or rear seat to limit access.
You can tell which holiday season is coming by checking out the inflatables at Sakana Sushi Lounge Fusion at Beachcliff Market Square, Rocky River. The big leprechaun outside the restaurant has been replaced by the Easter Bunny. (Carol Kovach/cleveland.com special issue)
Rabbit time: Easter is about three weeks away, which means the Easter Bunny is starting to show up in the area. Check out the photo above to see the large inflatable bunnies at Sakana Sushi Lounge Fusion in Rocky River.
Plant Sales: In partnership with Dean’s Greenhouse, PTA’s Westlake Council Spring Flower Sale is underway. Visit bit.ly/38aS4ZF to place your order.
There is a huge selection of hanging baskets, annuals, vegetables, herbs and more, all grown locally at Dean’s Greenhouse. Gift certificates can also be purchased. Orders must be placed by April 27th.
Pick-up is May 14th from 11am-1pm at Westlake Hilliard Blvd. 24525 Parkside Intermediate School.
The Westlake PTA Council will receive a portion of each sale, which will help the group continue to offer programs and scholarships.
In the library: Here are some of the events taking place next week at the Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Westlake Center Ridge Road. Visit westlakelibrary.org to learn more or to register. Please contact the library at 440-871-2600.
Get to know one of the featured illustrators on April 2nd at 3pm Illustrator, then create a project inspired by their art. This program is for students in grades 1-3 and requires registration.
Children in grades 3-6 can explore the work of well-known artists, then create art in the Art Smarts program on April 3 at 2 p.m. Registration is required.
The Heartsaver CPR/AED program, offering PR and AED certifications for adults, children, and infants, will be available in the library on April 4 from 6-8:30 pm. Authentication requires email. Students under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent with a legal guardian in class. For more information, please contact the instructor at [email protected]. Sign up at uhems.org/event-search.
Sign up for the Jewelry Junction: Spring Fling Bracelet Kit and pick it up during library opening hours on April 7. Participants will create colorful spring bracelets using silver finds and colored glass beads.
The American Red Cross Blood Cart will visit the library on April 7 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Sign up for donor appointments at redcrossblood.org.
Information, please: Readers are invited to share information about themselves, their family and friends, organizations, church events, and more, from the West Shore Chatter column in Bay Village, Rocky River, and Westlake, and I’m a freelance writer. Rewards, accolades, milestone birthdays or anniversaries and other items are welcome. Submit information to carolkovach@hotmail.com at least 10 days before the requested release date.
Read more from west coast sun.
