WOD for Water seeks to raise $50K this Saturday
Published 3:00 am Thursday, September 11, 2014
By Ngoc Vo
Local CrossFit enthusiasts are hoping their workouts will help generate more than $50,000 on Saturday to help bring clean drinking water to a third world country through the Troy 2014 WOD for Water.
WOD is an abbreviation for Workout of the Day. This is a CrossFit term used daily across the U.S. However, the special thing about WOD is the use of Jerry Cans filled with water as weights for the workout.
A Jerry Can is a plastic jug of up to 40 pounds, which is used daily in third world countries to get drinking or bathing water. By using Jerry Cans, the organizers hope to raise local awareness of the fact that women and children in many parts of the world have to walk miles through very dangerous areas just to get dirty water with this plastic jugs.
The proceeds of WOD will go to NeverThirst, a Birmingham-based non-profit with a mission “to bring clean and living water to the poor through the local church.” Over the five year since its finding, NeverThirst has completed over 2,000 water projects and served 300,000 people, according to Brandon Gossett, NeverThirst director of development.
“By participating in (WOD), you are playing an essential role in providing multiple villages with access to safe drinking water, one of the most basic needs,” Gossett said.
A major part of the funds raised will be used to build clean water wells in countries such as South Sudan, Cambodia and India.
“It’s going to be the biggest event (so far),” said Jason Jones, the event cofounder. “We set a goal to raise $50,000 and we feel that we will exceed that goal.”
This is the third year WOD is hosted in Troy. The event will start at 8 a.m. on Troy University’s Bibb Graves Quad and is expected to end at noon.
Anyone who is interested can participate in the workout, donate or become a sponsor.
In 2013, the event introduced Walk for Water, enabling anyone who can walk, roll, or be pushed in a wheelchair or stroller to be involved. The workout section includes beginner, scaled and Crossfit RX levels designed to suit a wide pool of participants.
The grand prize for Rx division is naming rights to a well. Moreover, everyone who signs up for will be automatically entered to win a $2,500 beach trip donated by Sanders Beach Rentals. Additional chances are being sold for $20 each or three for $50.
Although online registration ended at on Sept. 2, anyone interested can register on the day of the event at the venue.
Another purpose of this event is to introduce Jesus Christ to the un-reached, according to Jones.
“For the first time, (we can reach) people who never heard of the Truth,” Jones said. “We are helping with both their physical and spiritual needs.”