National Honor Society students Audrey Hayward (left) and Jamie Barber(right) assemble fundraising packets for the walk.The Brockport Central School District Library Department and National Honor Society invite the community to join students, faculty and staff for a 12-mile “Walk Along the Water” on Saturday, April 21 at 9 a.m. to help the district sponsor a well in Southern Sudan. The walk to Adams Basin begins and ends at the Smith Street Bridge in Brockport and mirrors the distance people in Sudan travel each day for water.
This activity culminates the district’s year-long initiative to raise funds and global awareness through reading. All students in the district learned about the serious problems associated with the lack of drinking water in many African villages by reading grade level appropriate books. Students in grades 5 to 12 read Linda Sue Park’s book A Long Walk to Water, a true story of one of the lost boys of Sudan, Salva Dut, who ultimately settled in Rochester. Park visited the district in October to meet with students and share what inspired her to tell Dut’s story.
This T-shirt art design was created by BHS senior Julie Ryan.Fundraising packets will be available the morning of the walk, but pre-registration is encouraged. A waiver form and fundraising information are available at www.bcs1.org/waterforSudan or by contacting Kathy Jaccarino at 637-1870. Participants who raise more than $100 will receive a free canal walk t-shirt, designed by BHS senior, Julie Ryan. T-shirts may also be pre-ordered for $10. Those unable to participate in the walk but who would like to contribute, can complete the contribution form on the web site.
With the help of the PTSA and many students and community members, various businesses and service organizations, including Professor Chris Norment’s Environmental Capstone class at The College at Brockport, Seymour Library, and First Baptist Church, the district is nearing its $5,000 goal. Funds will be sent through Dut’s organization, Water for Sudan, to sponsor the well.
“Having a well with Brockport’s name on it in southern Sudan will serve as a reminder of how this community came together to reach out to our global neighbors,” said Brockport High School Librarian Kathy Jaccarino. “This has been an exciting project. The students have learned so much about conditions in Salva’s country and they have shown a true desire to improve these conditions for the people in southern Sudan.” The walk will take place rain or shine, but in the event of severe weather, participants can check the district’s website for updates.
