The Selkirk College Student Union Rotaract Club is holding a "water purification party" on Friday, March 22, raising money for something many Canadians take for granted: access to safe, clean water.
The newly-formed club is using the money raised at the event for the purchase of LifeStraw® portable water filters; they will be sent to those living in countries with areas of high water contamination.
According to water.org, an organization co-founded by actor, screenwriter, producer, and philanthropist Matt Damon, approximately 780 million people around the world – about one in nine – lack access to clean water.
The Selkirk College Student Rotaract Club is hoping the students of Selkirk, and anyone from the community of Castlegar will do their part to help bring down that startling number.
March 22 was not chosen randomly, as the date is the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) "World Water Day". The day focuses international attention on freshwater and sustainable management of freshwater resources.
Co-president of the club, Chelan Padmoroff, said the initiative is a first for the newly-formed group.
"The Selkirk College Student Union Rotaract Club started meeting this past October," said Padmoroff. "Since then, we have had a strong membership base of 10 people attending and participating. We are really looking forward to this event being a success."
Club members have been busy handing out flyers at local events like hockey games and putting up posters around town to spread the word about the fundraiser.
Like any good party, this one has a theme, "school stereotypes," and prizes will be given out for those who arrive with the best costumes.
The party goes from 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. at Element (292 Columbia Ave in Castlegar).
Tickets are $7 in advance or $10 at the door. Send email to chelan.padmoroff@hotmail.com for more information.