How many times through your life have you heard how important it is to drink water? Probably too many times to count, right? Yet 85% of children are not getting enough water during the day, especially when they are in school. Schools have a legal obligation to provide water fountains, but that doesn't mean children are permitted to take a drink whenever they feel thirsty. They have to physically get up and walk to the water fountain after being granted permission or wait until they pass one in the hallway.

Instead, some schools are installing water bottle filling stations beside their water fountains and allowing children to carry water with them throughout the day. If this is something you would like your children's school to do, raise the funds with a walk-a-thon so it can be done! Here's how. 

Why a walk-a-thon? 

In some areas of the world, people have no choice but to walk to get water. In fact, according to UNICEF, some people in sub-Saharan Africa walk an average of 33 minutes round trip to get water and take it back to their families. By holding a walk-a-thon to raise funds for your school's new water bottle filling stations, you're also providing an educational experience to the students and people in the community. 

How does a walk-a-thon raise funds? 

Typically, when a walk-a-thon is done, the participants ask for donations before the event. The participants then promise that they will walk a specific length or amount of time during the walk-a-thon. However, there is another way that you can raise funds for this event that will provide a long-lasting impact on the community—custom screen printed shirts.

How do custom screen printed shirts fit in? 

Develop a custom design for the shirts that will signify the importance of water on your students' learning abilities as well as the importance of water to those who live in developing countries. Hold a 'create the design' contest among the student population. Buy shirts in bulk to save on costs. You can even buy screen printed clothing online. Sell the shirts to the student body, to parents, and to members of the community.

You can also offer free shirts to walk-a-thon sponsors who donate higher amounts of money, if you would like. Alternatively, allow anyone to participate in the walk-a-thon if they purchase a shirt with your event's custom design on it. Speak with a custom screen printing service for ideas on how to select the perfect design for your walk-a-thon fundraiser.