Running for Water

Enough money was raised to build almost three wells in Sierra Leone, Africa through Let Them LOL's Running Water 5k/1 mile walk event held Saturday June 4 in Amherst. Photo provided by Let Them LOL By Josh Ward

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot. Nothing’s going to get better. It’s not.” (Dr. Seuss)
    Over 250 Western-New Yorkers participated Saturday in Running Water, a charitable 5k/1 mile walk by local organization Let Them LOL to provide clean water in Sierra Leone, Africa. The event was able to raise over $14,320.87 enough to build almost three wells and provide hundreds with clean water, a community here gave selflessly to help a community over there.

It was perfect running weather some said as runners approached the registration table at the North Town Center in Amherst Saturday morning. Many preregistered online and sent out electronic pledges and were able to raise a lot more funds. Numerous participants set personal goals and multiple people were able to go above and beyond their set goals. One 5K runner, Bri Gibney stated, “Being able to give and raise donations for the betterment of others is a great feeling. I want to use what God gave me to help.” Bri also went on to win the best time in her age group. With many people running, it caused the surrounding community to ask questions and to spark their interest about the non-profit. What made this stand out from past events was the diversity in terms of who came. It was an “all round” type of event. Families, college students, high school students, singles, all came to share in raising awareness for those in need. Jerry Gillis, lead Pastor at The Chapel at Crosspoint and one of the 250 participants said, “Since I have already been aware of this organization and its mission, it [the walk] has helped me help others to raise awareness; so that they can be the hands and feet of Jesus.”
    As the race began, volunteers were in charge of various tasks- some helped direct runners, hand out water, or began setting up the post-race activities. Let Them LOL founder, Joe Vacanti stated that, “We couldn’t do it without their volunteers.”  During the race, the volunteers were busy helping one another and making sure everything was set and ready for when the big race and walk were complete.

     Volunteer, Greg Capodagli, was approached by Joe Vacanti and asked to help use his marketing background to help serve on the board. Greg, who had been searching for a volunteer position was ecstatic to join. “After being involved for quite some time, it is amazing to help around the world…what motivates me is, knowing my actions directly affect people in Sierra Leone and actually seeing the tangible affects from this organization is huge because you can see your hard work paying off,” said Greg who explained he is looking forward to making a bigger difference with future events.
    After the race, runners came off tired and red in the face, but smiles were all over. Some families were given 40 pound buckets of water to carry so that they could experience what villagers have to in order to get water (which is still contaminated). The Ripellino family took on the challenge by carrying two buckets. Father, Daughter, Kevin and Rachael both exclaimed how difficult it was to carry both and joked that they would drink all the water after carrying it.
    Overall, the race was a huge success--two full water wells have been funded and a third almost funded. As children across the world woke up Saturday, having no expectation that today is any different, there was a community in WNY running and pounding the pavement causing a ripple across the waters saying, hope's rising.