Since her eighth grade year, GPS junior Kaycee Ensign has been involved in water issues, spearheading the fourth annual Tap Project in Chattanooga and promoting the upcoming second annual Walk for Water on Saturday.
Statistics like those listed below are the reason she joined UNICEF’s national campaign to draw attention to the global water crisis:
* Every day, 4200 children die from lack of clean water.
* Young girls in developing countries will walk as far as three miles to fetch water that is potentially harmful for their health.
* An average person in a developing country uses 5 gallons of water a day; an average American uses between 100 and 200.
The Tap Project takes place March 20-26, with over 25 participating restaurants who will invite their customers to donate a dollar for their otherwise free glass of water. The money raised will go to support UNICEF’s efforts to bring clean and accessible water to millions of children around the world. Every dollar raised will enable UNICEF to provide a child with clean and safe water for 40 days. March 22 is recognized as World Water Day.
On Sunday, the Walk for Water will begin at 9 a.m. on the GPS track. There is no charge for the event, but Ms. Ensign is hoping that people will want to make donations. The walk is being sponsored by the City of Chattanooga Water Quality Program.
Participating restaurants in the 2011 Tap Project are 212 Market, The Acropolis, Back Inn Café, Big River Grill, Bluegrass Grill, Blue Plate, Cheeburger Cheeburger, Chattanooga Cupcakes, Crust Pizza, Good Dog, The Hair of the Dog Pub, Hennen’s, Lupi’s Pizza Pies, Mojo Burrito, Mt. Vernon, Niko’s Southside Grill, Nino’s Pastaria, North Shore Grille, Public House, Stone Cup Coffee Bar, Sweet Cece’s, Sushi Nabe, The Terminal, The Honest Pint, Tony’s and Whipped Cupcakes.
For their efforts on behalf of the Tap Project, Ms. Ensign and classmate Annie Paden are past winners of the national UNICEF Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award.