Pro Athletes, Celebrity Family Members Partner for International Water Day Project

By Clare Morris, Christian Post Contributor Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Water Missions International, a nonprofit Christian engineering ministry, has partnered with World Serve International, water treatment system providers Pentair, and several athletes and celebrity family members for a high-profile project on this year's International Water Day.

"Water Missions International is very excited to be participating in this project. We are bringing our engineering expertise to assist in implementing some low-maintenance water treatment solutions in order to ensure water is potable," said George Greene IV, Vice President of Water Missions international programs.

International Water Day will take place on Thursday, March 22. The day has two purposes. One is to bring awareness to the fact that many nations across the world do not have access to clean drinking water. The second purpose of International Water Day is to spur action against the problem; and that's just what Water Missions International has set out to do.

On Tuesday, the Christian nonprofit and its partners began a project that will provide a water treatment system for residents in the Tanzanian village of Loiborsoi. Approximately 5,000 villagers will have access to clean water once the project is completed, Water Missions International said in a press release.

Raising awareness and lending a hand in this project are numerous NFL players. The athletes on board include Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals, Tommie Harris of the San Diego Chargers, Santonio Holmes of the New York Jets, and Chase Daniel of the New Orleans Saints.

Many of these athletes have worked with charities aiding developing countries in the past. Tommie Harris has worked with Water4Foundation, and just a few weeks ago, Larry Fitzgerald traveled through Africa with Oxfam to raise awareness for East Africa's food shortage.

A few celebrities' family members will also be lending a hand with the Water Missions' International Water Day Project. Brad Pitt's brother, Doug Pitt, is expected to be involved, along with Natasha Bedingfield's mother, Molly Bedingfield.

Doug Pitt has been deeply involved in water treatment in Tanzania for sometime. He was named Goodwill Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania in 2010, according to Us magazine. Doug Pitt is also the director of Africa 600 International, an organization that strives to provide clean drinking water to the continent.

With the help of professional athletes, celebrity family members, and other humanitarian organizations, this International Water Day, Water Missions will be preserving the sanctity of life and helping the less fortunate, while raising awareness for a serious issue.