My Thoughts on Charity

Anyone who can solve the problems of water will be worthy of two Nobel prizes – one for peace and one for science. -John F. Kennedy

The water crisis is quickly becoming the predominant cause of death on Earth; an unfortunate dark horse of the world’s problems. Over 3.5 million people die each year from preventable water-related disease and it is estimated that 135 million will die by 2020. WaterHope is a charity foundation established to take part in the solution to this increasing emergency. Founded in 2004, WaterHope has raised over 1.2 million dollars and funded fresh water projects throughout India and China as well as Pakistan and numerous African countries. The millions of people that go daily without life-giving clean water do not do so because there is not enough water to go around. Instead, they suffer because a lack of access to clean water that is, more often than not, right within their reach.

WaterHope funds projects that are sustainable, effective and culturally appropriate. Because many villagers must travel as far as six miles daily to fetch water- often contaminated, disease-ridden water- time that can be spent on education, community involvement and work is lost. WaterHope’s aim is to give this time, as well as unfaltering hope, back to our world community.

Chef Stuart O’Keeffe joined the WaterHope family because he is passionate about the health and well-being of our world. Acting as Chef for WaterHope’s flagship fundraiser, Wine to Water, Chef Stu generously donates his time and talent by preparing dinner for the event’s 200 guests. He has even allowed himself to be sold at the event’s live auction, donating a private dinner for 12 anywhere in the country. This auction item alone has brought in enough money to build wells in some of the most impoverished areas of the world. Committed to “cooking for a cause”, Chef Stu works closely with WaterHope in brainstorming ways he can put his talents and creativity to use for those in need of his help.