Now that she’s caught her breath after rowing her boat across the ocean, it’s time for Katie Spotz to give back. In March, Spotz completed her 70-day, 2,817-mile solo journey across the Atlantic from Senegal on the west coast of Africa to Guyana on the east coast of South America. Age 22 at the time, Spotz became the youngest person to row solo across an entire ocean. She’s the first American to have done so.
And she did it for charity. She raised money and awareness for the Blue Planet Network, a non-profit working to bring sustainable safe drinking water to people in rural communities around the world.
This week on her blog (www.rowforwater.com), Katie said it’s time to distribute the money she has raised.
“…after raising over $100,000 for the Blue Planet Network (recently changed names from Blue Planet Run to Blue Planet Network), it’s now that time – selecting projects. With the Blue Planet Network’s “Peer Water Exchange” I have the opportunity to designate those funds to specific projects and communities. Last fall, two projects in Haiti were funded, and the remaining $90,000 is likely going to fund projects in Nicaragua, Guatemala, India, Cambodia, and Uganda. Wherever the projects are, I think it will be a perfect excuse to map out my next big adventure. Stay tuned!”
BIG Inspiration from Katie Spotz:
Bold: She rowed her boat, solo, nearly 3,000 miles for more than two months. Need we say more?
Innovative: By garnering attention for her amazing feats on salt water, she raised money and awareness for the great challenge of distributing drinking water. This is not your grandma’s fund raising campaign!
Generous: $100,000+ and counting. Since completing her journey, Spotz has continued to work tirelessly for the cause.
Web site: http://www.rowforwater.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Spotz/375873300223
Twitter: http://twitter.com/katiespotz
Flickr Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/katiespotz/
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Bold, innovative and generous people like Katie Spotz are in every corner of America. We want to find them, celebrate them, and connect them with you. If you know people who are BIG, please share their stories with us.
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Bold, innovative and generous people are in every corner of America. We want to find them, celebrate them, and connect them with you. In the next few weeks and months, we plan to connect with BIG people in every congressional district in America.