Josiah Road

Dollar For A Drink

posted by staff 17Feb

Guest news-writer: Marie Delph

In a world where 3.5 million people die every year of water-related diseases, 17-year-old Joshua Guthrie had to do something. Thus, Dollar for a Drink was launched. Now in its second year, gifts to the effort have nearly tripled over 2008.

On Feb. 2, 2010, Guthrie announced on his website that Dollar for a Drink not only reached its 2009 goal of $24,000, but surpassed it by $4,000.

All the money will be used for the installation of wells in Darfur, Sudan, where the water crisis is at its worst. Water is so valuable to the Sudanese people, that some refer to it as “blue gold.” And it’s no wonder – twenty-five percent of the country’s 40 million population lack access to clean water, states the Dollar for a Drink website, dollarforadrink.org.

On Feb. 3, 2010, Guthrie presented a check for $22,000 to Baptist Global Response (BGR), an international relief and development organization. The presentation took place at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., where Guthrie is a dually enrolled high school student.

At least three wells will be installed in Darfur, said Jeff Palmer, executive director of BGR. These wells will provide clean drinking water to thousands in Darfur and surrounding areas. (Note: To see a map go to dollarforadrink.org/sudan.html)

Specific locations in Darfur have already been set aside for three wells to be installed. And now, with money in hand, BGR is set to send teams to install the wells, which Guthrie believes should be completed by the spring. The workers will also be able to use this time to share the Gospel with the Sudanese people.

The idea for Dollar for a Drink was birthed because a then 16-year-old Guthrie wanted to make a difference. Like so many of his generation, he has a strong desire to help change the world. However, the idea of doing something so big was overwhelming. Guthrie’s dad suggested he read Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris. This was Guthrie’s turning point. The book “challenges teens to overcome the low expectations our culture has for us and to rise up and make a difference in the world,” he wrote.

The remaining $6,000 not included in the check presented to BGR is a combination of not-yet-received pledges and excess money. Because only $24,000 is needed to build three wells, the additional $4,000 will roll over to next year’s goal. “Or it may have to go for wells which cost more than [$8,000],” Guthrie wrote on the effort’s website.

How is this money raised? Dollar for Drink asks people to give one dollar – that is equal to or less than what it costs to purchase bottled water, soda or a latte, the effort’s website states. One dollar may not sound like a lot, but if every member of youth groups across the United States gave one dollar, Dollar for a Drink would have thousands, if not millions of dollars to provide Sudan with clean drinking water.

To see Joshua Gurthrie’s presentation of the $22,000 check to Baptist Global Response please visit baptistglobalresponse.com.

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