Jody Landers, Clean Water Advocate

Home: Muscatine, IA
Family: Husband Andrew Landers and their six children
What she started: A grassroots effort called Water for Christmas

Jody Landers was raised in Colorado and married pastor and musician Andrew Landers in 1998. They moved to Muscatine, Iowa, and started a family with the birth of four boys in five years.

Their fourth son, Quincy, was born with a rare birth defect. After several weeks in the hospital, her son returned home, and Jody had an overwhelming desire to reach out to other children in need. In 2008, the Landers adopted twins Zeke and Kora from Sierra Leone.

After returning from their trip to bring their children home, Jody and Andrew wanted to help the struggling community of Sierra Leone and began contributing by collecting new pajamas and backpacks for local foster care children, and selling purses for young tailors attempting to overcome homelessness.

During this process, Jody began to learn about the clean water crisis — currently the leading cause of death in undeveloped nations — which kills an estimated 4,500 children every day. She then formed Water for Christmas, a grassroots effort that raises funds for the organization charity: water.

Water for Christmas encouraged her friends and family to donate to charity over the holiday season, foregoing the traditional giving and receiving of material gifts. Inspiring her friends and family to contribute to clean water projects, Jody continued reaching out and raised $100,000 in less than a year by selling baked goods and crafts.

Jody continues to advocate for clean water and has launched charity: water's campaign 300 Voices to keep raising money throughout the year.

***************************************************************************************************

West Middle School, Muscatine Iowa

Under the leadership of math teacher, Tom Randleman,  West Middle School in Muscatine, IA raised $6,000 for their own well in West Africa.

"Our school came together to rally around a cause. The cause was far bigger than any of our own individual interests. The educational opportunity and the life lesson that a talent show and Water for Africa provided for a school community will last a life time. I know that a majority of our students “got it”. The otters will get it later. It could not have happened without the one voice speaking up and the rest of us saying “okay”. Together we made a difference.

We set building expectations at the start of the year to:
Be Ready Be Respectful Be Responsible

This event on May 22, 2009 brought home these expectations far greater than we ever could have imagined at the start of the school year. Sometimes an idea becomes an event that will be a memory and feeling of good that will last a lifetime. We are proud to say that at West Middle School, in one two week period, we helped one village and ourselves become a better place to live."
-John Lawrence (principal at West Middle School).

***********************************************************************************************************************

Driveways 4 Water!

**********************************************************************************************************************

Youth & Family Efforts

Courtney, a mother of four from VA, set-up a lemonade stand one Saturday morning with the help of her four kids.
"We made $26 in 2 hours! That's water for 1 person (plus a little extra) for LIFE. We made a difference in 1 person's life today."

Jen’s PRESCHOOL class in Colorado raised $81. A group of 3 year olds literally changed the lives of 4 Africans…giving them clean water for 20 years.

The students at JB Young Intermediate School in Davenport, IA held a "Dancing For Water" party. The party was complete with bottles, cupcakes, T-shirts, and bracelets designed by students.

And lots of dancing!

An amazing group of kids, teachers, and faculty all came together to make this event happen..resulting in a good amount of money headed to Liberia!

Aubree and Mrs Plant’s 8th Graders at Seminole Middle School (Florida)….and their $1,371 donation! Double Aubree's goal for the classl!!

Lisa and her family set up a "water" table several times a week at their family restaurant in Washington. They were able to collect a significant amount of money to contribute to