Lifewater BBQ Raises Funds to Serve Seven Villages

It takes a village… to help seven more!

On Saturday, October 15, over 300 people gathered at the first Lifewater BBQ Fundraising Dinner and Auction. The event raised enough money to help seven rural communities in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Cambodia get safe water, improved sanitation, and hygiene education – changing thousands of lives forever.

Over 663 million people do not have access to safe water, and 2.4 billion do not have a safe places to go to the bathroom. The Lifewater event increased awareness of this urgent need and will help change this reality for thousands of people. With safe water and sanitation, entire communities will lift themselves out of poverty and into health, education, and flourishing villages.

The BBQ dinner was hosted at Barrelhouse Brewery in Paso Robles, California, where guests could enjoy locally-made brews like Sunny Daze and Big Sur Double IPA. Old San Luis BBQ served slow-cooked tri-tip while Doc Burnstein’s delighted with its handmade ice cream. Local businesses donated dozens of goods and services for a silent auction, including wine tours and stays at beachside B&Bs. The live auction featured several extended vacations in places like Big Sur and Maui, while many attendees were smitten with the labradoodle puppy that will go to a loving home.

When not bidding or eating, guests had the opportunity to learn more about the world’s water and sanitation crisis and Lifewater’s work to reach the rural poor with clean drinking water, effective sanitation, and hygiene practices that will save lives. Guests saw a model Healthy Home, including a latrine, a drying rack, a working water pump, and a tippy-tap. Presenters also shared the stories of real people whose lives are transformed by the presence of WASH in their community.

Ultimately, the event brought together a community around the efforts to help other people lead better, abundant lives. From the generosity of local businesses to the dozens of volunteers to the 300+ attendees ready to reach out and help others with their giving, the community raised over $90,000 and helped thousands of people living in seven remote communities in Africa and Asia.