Leisure World News

Leisure World News • Community • March 2022 A33 Wells, water and hope for children in need! That’s what Leisure World resident Donald Christianson has devoted his time and energy by working with Water 4 Kids, a nonprofit organization that improves the health and well- being of children in impoverished communities by providing clean water. “When you read the stories of how the wells have helped the people in the village, you want to do more,” says Donald. “Children do not have to walk on journeys to find water and bring it home. Instead, they can go to school. This is changing lives!” Established in 1996, Water 4 Kids is a division of Hope 4 Kids International. It was founded after two environmental health officers visited Peru to help eradicate cholera. They realized that people in small and less formal settlements needed environmental health services and safe water. But unfortunately, no organization was addressing these issues until now. “Water 4Kids” is appropriately named because it is a good description of what the charity does: If kids have water, so do all the members of the community. The emphasis on children also highlights the important investment made for them and their future well-being. Digging Deep Donald serendipitously learned about the Hope 4 Kids International in the 1970s when he was on a bus ride with the Christian music group, The Living Dimension Singers. The lead singer Tom Eggum founded the nonprofit and shared his passion for it with Donald. “After I retired, I was looking for some way to be meaningful,” explains Donald, a Leisure World resident since 2015. “I didn’t just want to play tennis all day and not have some form of purpose driving me in life. I remembered Hope 4 Kids and got involved shortly after I moved here because it spoke to my heart.” Walking for Wells Donald knew he wouldn’t be able to do this alone since it costs $10,000 to build one well! So, he decided to get creative to make this happen. He ended up raising funds by walking around the lakes in Leisure World and asking friends and neighbors to donate money per mile walked. His efforts resulted in building his first well in the village of Madengho Uganda. “I was able to raise $5,000 in five months,” recalls Donald. “Then, one donor generously matched what was raised!” From those fundraising efforts, Allen’s Well was drilled! “The great thing is that Water 4 Kids allows you to dedicate a well to a person that you lost,” explains Donald. “I dedicated my first well to my best friend Allen Pesha who was killed in an accident.” Donald’s humanitarian’s efforts did not stop there. He then decided to help build a second well in the village of Bunyika, which he dedicated to his late father, Gordon Christianson. Getting Colorful To raise funds, Donald and his wife decided to host a watercolors paint show in their home. Friends and family were invited where they could purchase watercolor paintings created by Donaald via a silent auction. “It was a great time!” exclaims Donald. “My wife Sarah and I are musicians, so we play music, drink wine and make it a special evening.” Their event raised $6,000! The remainder of funds needed to build the well was provided by additional donations. “Don finds so much joy in painting,” says Sarah. “He really disappears into it and always challenges himself with different techniques, concepts and images. It is beautiful how he has juxtaposed his love of paing with his passion for Water 4 Kids, making it even more meaningful!” On March 24, the Christianson’s will host another watercolor fundraiser to build their third well in the Bukeda District in Uganda. Donald will dedicate this well to his late mother, Doreen Christianson, who passed away in 2018. Donald has raised over $1,500 for this project and is hoping that the March fundraiser will be just as successful as the previous one. “The work that Don is doing to build water wells in Uganda is very noble!” says friend Leisure World resident Harvey Huber, who has donated to the cause. “The children are so grateful! This really speaks to Don’s character and commitment. I am very proud to call him my friend!” But the children in Uganda are not the only ones reaping the rewards. “Once you have been to West Africa, you are changed,” concludes Donald. “To see people with so little have great joy, that stays with you. I am happy that my small efforts are making a difference!” To donate to Water for Kids, please visit: https:// support.h4ki.org/campaign/project-three-donald- christianson/c271653. www.Lumadome.com Luma Electric Inc. Residential Electrical Contractors Lighting the Valley in style since 1982 • Recessed can, Pendents, Security, Landscape, Accent • All your lighting needs • Paddle fans sold, wired, assembled and installed • Pool and spa equipment rewired or repaired You name the electrical job, we do it. Licensed • Bonded • Approved • ROC 087065 480-838-1202 w.Lumado e. 15%OFF Any installation with this ad Expires 3/31/22 We are the KEY for all your LOCKSMITH needs! The LOCK Shop 1155 S. Power Rd. #116 Mesa, AZ 85206 480-452-4505 Info@The-LOCK-Shop.com www.The-LOCK-Shop.com Residential • Commercial • Auto • Safes Licensed, Bonded & Insured dale@garagefloorcoating.com www.garagefloorcoating.com Dale Gerstenberger Operations Manager Toll Free 877.324.2628 6040 E. Main St. | Suite 143 | Mesa, Arizona C 480.586.1835 O 602.579.2628 F 480.306.7478 www.garagefloorcoating.com Donald Christianson Provides African Children with Wellspring of Hope! SERVICES Readers | Energy Healers | Meditations | Drum Circles PRODUCTS Crystals | Jewelry | Essential Oils | Fairy Gardens Orgonites | AND SO MUCH MORE! (480) 605-8499 6055 E Southern Ave, Suite 101 Mesa, AZ 85206 In front of Walmart near Brake Masters www.serenity-rocks.com FREE CRYSTAL WITH PURCHASE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! Donald with Leisure World residents and donors Dave and Gloria Lien. Fundraiser at Christianson home with beautiful watercolor paintings for auction.