Water The Planet: Relief Fund
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Water The Planet is focused on providing clean water, support, and hope to communities around the world.
Hello, my name is Lance and I'm an activist/community leader. Water The Planet is a community improvement initiative committed to ending America's water crisis. Our purpose is to provide clean water to underprivileged communities, financial assistance, and keep everyone aware of this ongoing global issue.
I launched the #SaveFlintChallenge in June 2018, and we continue to call on others to start their own GoFundMe to help provide water relief to communities in need. Accept the challenge. Help us Water The Planet.
Related Article: Bottled water dries up in Flint as water crisis fallout continues in new year. read more
Related Article: What It’s Like to Lose Water in Jackson, Mississippi. read more
Related Article: Flint water victims still waiting on claims process; disappointed by mistrial. read more
Rewind
Flint's water crisis began in 2014 when the drinking water source for the city of Flint, Michigan was changed from Lake Huron and the Detroit River to the cheaper Flint River. The decision to switch the city of Flint’s drinking water source to the Flint River was pegged as a cost-cutting maneuver aimed at saving $5M over a two-year period.
This community malpractice resulted in lead contamination in Flint's water, which poisoned tens of thousands of innocent people in this community.
Researchers studying the Flint lead water crisis found a decrease in pregnancies, and an increase in fetal deaths among Flint women. Fertility rates dropped by 12% while fetal deaths rose by 58%. The water change is also responsible for an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in the county that has killed 13 people and affected another 77.
On April 6th, 2018, Governor. Rick Snyder announced the end of a free bottled water program in Flint, citing the water quality was acceptable, but that isn't the truth. The residents of Flint STILL struggle with unreliable drinking water. Further investigation reveals the replacement of all the lead pipes necessary to provide clean water to Flint residents is still incomplete in 2023.
Fast Forward
This is where #WaterThePlanet comes in. Our mission is simple, we're fundraising to provide clean water and resources to people in need. Since our launch my campaign has transformed into a relief mission that assists other areas around the world.
How the Funds Will Be Used
All funds received will be invested in maintaining our #WaterThePlanet campaign, volunteer expenses, delivery costs, and used to purchase boxed/bottled water. We've upgraded our water assistance program to provide water filters for long-term solutions. We’re also making donations to various charities/water distribution organizations in the United States, and assisting communities outside of the country.
West Court Street Church of God in Flint, Michigan will be one of several drop off destinations selected. If you are in the Richmond, Virginia area and want to directly donate cases of water please send me a direct message.
Campaign Results
2019 GoFundMe Heroes Award Winner
The #SaveFlintChallenge was honored in San Francisco at the GoFundMe Heroes Celebration, a first-time live event honoring 6 community-nominated GoFundMe Heroes in front of a live audience. Watch the livestream here.
#WaterThePlanet encourages everyone to extend a helping hand in communities other than their own. Thank you for contributing and sharing our campaign.
Others Making A Difference
Little Miss Flint:
Support Little Miss Flint here: https://t.co/jpKnw4TAgm
Maisie Brown:
Support Maisie here:
West Court Church:
Support West Court here:
News/Interview Links
Related Article: GoFundMe Honors Good Samaritans at First Heroes Celebration: 'Amazing Things Are Happening.' https://t.co/Eaf568fopL
Related Article: How a quote from ‘Black Panther’ inspired this Richmond ‘hero’ to take action. https://wtvr.com/2019/11/01/lance-cooper-honored-by-gofundme/
Related Article: Save Flint Challenge Donations help Flint’s West Court Church distribute water again. https://t.co/7LWgs8yZro
Related Article: Flint Clean Water GoFundMe Campaigns Get Border Wall Boost. https://t.co/XdKEroVH6F
"It takes a village to build a better world."
Organizer
Lance Cooper
Organizer
Richmond, VA