Water 1st International

Give Water • Give Life Benefit Raises Over $300,000

More than 600 guests gathered at Benaroya Hall’s Grand Lobby on November 3 for a dinner reception and silent auction to support the work of Water 1st International’s projects in four of the world’s poorest countries. Over $300,000 was raised for communities in need of clean water, bringing life and hope to 9,000 people through 50 water projects in Bangladesh, Honduras, Ethiopia, and India.

Following a lively silent auction, the program opened with a performance by the children’s choir of Seattle’s St. Gebriel Ethiopian church, who thanked Water 1st for helping the people of Ethiopia.

Master of ceremonies and guest speaker Rick Steves presided and introduced special guest, Wynnette LaBrosse, President of the Agora Foundation at Peninsula Community Foundation, who spoke of Agora’s commitment to the global water crisis and Agora's recent $100,000 grant to Water 1st.

Water 1st was pleased to present the first annual Water Ambassador award to board member Darryl Swenson. This award recognizes outstanding volunteers who are critical to making the work of Water 1st possible. Marla Smith-Nilson, Executive Director, presented the award saying, “You believe in the power of the grassroots to bring an end to this problem, and we couldn’t be more proud and grateful for your efforts on behalf of the people we serve.” Accepting the award, Darryl said, "I have only just begun to fight."

Congressman Jim McDermott, Water 1st Advisory Council member, addressed the crowd, saying he has supported Water 1st since its inception "because they have a brilliant approach to ensure water projects are sustainable."

Guests enjoyed a film featuring our beneficiaries and the work of Water 1st, and an inspiring talk from Marla Smith-Nilson. "Every single individual on earth has both the potential and the right to live a decent life," said Marla. "The water projects you are supporting are the first large step on that path. Communities with new water systems are transformed from places where children routinely die of preventable diseases to places where children live healthy lives, from places where women and girls spend their days carrying water to places where girls have time to go to school. There are also benefits we can’t measure but that are enormously valued by the people we serve, like privacy and dignity and a life free from the drudgery of carrying water. We believe there’s also benefit in connecting our communities by sending a message half way around the world that says to people born into poverty: You are not invisible to us. We care about your lives."

Rick Steves’ address was filled with his trademark humor and the impact travel has had on his world view. He called the global water crisis the "silent tsunami." Waterborne illnesses cause the same number of deaths every week of the year as the tsunami of 2004. Unlike the tsunami, this crisis does not make headlines or attract the attention it deserves.

Guests responded generously to the call for funds and awaited Darryl Swenson’s announcement of the total: More than $280,000 had just been raised (totaling $300,000 the next day)—funds that will save and improve thousands of lives in India, Bangladesh, Honduras, and Ethiopia.

If you’re interested in receiving a DVD copy of the film that was shown at the event, please email Stephanie Nelson or call (206) 696-1145.

Special Thanks

Water 1st gratefully recognizes our corporate sponsors, table sponsors, table captains, silent auction donors, volunteers, and guests for their support in helping people in need of safe water and latrines and for making the event such a success.

Agora Foundation Matching Grant

The Agora Foundation provided a $20,000 corporate sponsorship matching grant for new corporate sponsors of the 2006 Give Water • Give Life Benefit. We are excited that we exceeded our goal, raising $42,675 in new corporate sponsorships. As a result of Agora’s generous matching grant, we have raised a total of $65,675 in corporate support for this event, and 100 % of your donations made at the event will be used to fund the work of Water 1st.

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Give Water • Give Life Benefit Raises Over $300,000

Special Thanks

Agora Foundation Matching Grant

Corporate Sponsors:

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Table Sponsors:

Guest Speaker Rick Steves

Give Water • Give Life Event Corporate Sponsors:

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