MUSCATINE, Iowa — Muscatine resident Jody Landers knows her six children are fortunate to have enough clean water in which to drink and bathe.

And she has spent the past year working to bring that same privilege to children in Sierra Leone.

But she doesn’t have to do it alone. Landers credits the 30 volunteers who work with her on the non-profit Water for Christmas campaign and a giving community with helping her carry out her mission.

This fall, the community will have several opportunities to join the effort.

Where it all beganIn November, Landers will introduce the community to Scott Harrison, president and founder of charity: water, the organization with which Water for Christmas partners.

Harrison, who will be in Muscatine and Davenport Saturday-Monday, Nov. 21-23, was working in Africa on a photojournalist assignment in 2004 when he learned about  contaminated water.

He founded charity: water in 2006 after returning home to New York.

Two years later, Jody and her husband, Andy Landers, went to Sierra Leone to adopt their twins, Zeke and Kora, and like Harrison, were saddened by the lack of clean water in that country.

When Jody learned  4,500 children in underdeveloped countries die every day because they do not have clean water, she became determined to do more than shake her head and throw up her hands.

She established the non-profit Water for Christmas in November 2008 to raise funds for charity: water, with the local funds targeted for water wells in Liberia.

By December 2008, Water for Christmas had raised $15,000, 100 percent of which was used to drill for wells.

“Clean water changes everything,” said Landers. “Without it, there is little hope.”

Getting involvedWater for Christmas has raised more than $100,000 through various fundraising efforts.

Another part of the program, 300 Voices, invites people throughout the country to send $20 a month to the effort. 

In May, Muscatine teacher Tom Randleman, a Water for Christmas advocate, helped West Middle School students raise  $6,000 for their own well in West Africa.

As the Water for Christmas organization approaches its first anniversary, Randleman has launched a new fundraiser.

For $20, which is enough money to provide one person with clean water for five years, Randleman will paint an H2O Africa symbol in the driveways of area residents.

“I plan to paint as many as I can before they are covered in snow,” said Randleman, who has already begun working on the project.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, Water for Christmas will host a 4-mile walk/run in Muscatine that will loop from the entrance of Cedar Street to Weed Park in Muscatine.

Online:

Learn more about Water for Christmas: http://water4christmas.com/index.html

DetailsH20Africa symbol fundraiser

Muscatine resident Tom Randleman will paint an H20Africa symbol in the driveways of area residents for a $20 donation. Call Randleman at 263-9960 for an appointment.

What: Water for Christmas fundraising 4-mile walk/run

When: 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24

Where: An out-and-back course from the Cedar Street entrance to Weed Park.

Sponsors: Muscatine Medical Surgical Associates, Dr. Calvin Atwell; Team Staffing Solutions Inc.; HNI Corp. and the HON Co.

Donation: $20, non-refundable. All donations are tax-deductible.

Packet pick-up/late registration: 4-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 and 7-7:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Mississippi Riverside park shelter

Entry forms: Available at the Water for Christmas Website.

Details: T-shirts guaranteed to the first 100 registrants. All entry forms received by Oct. 9, will be eligible for a merchandise raffle.

Register: Mail registration donation to Brenda Mohr, 32 Coventry Lane #3, Muscatine, IA 52761

Contact: Brenda Mohr at 563-299-1918 or brenda_mohr@yahoo.com

What: Water For Christmas welcomes Scott Harrison, founder and president of charity: water, to Iowa

When: 6 p.m. Saturday Nov. 21,

Where: Calvary Church, 501 W. Bypass 61, Muscatine

What: Muscatine Calvary Church  service featuring Scott Harrison

When: 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 22

Where: Calvary Church, 501 W. Bypass 61 Muscatine

What: “Water Changes Everything: Opening Doors to Global Citizenship” luncheon, featuring Harrison

When: Noon Sunday, Nov. 22

Sponsor: Bandag of Muscatine

Where: Allsteel Building, Muscatine

Tickets: $20 donation. There is limited availability for seating at this event, please contact brenda_mohr@yahoo.com for tickets. (Sponsored by Bandag)

What: Water for Christmas fundraiser with Harrison

Where: Geneva Country Club, 3100 Bidwell Road., Muscatine

When: 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22

Details: Silent auction, live music, and presentation by Harrison