Louisville Water Leaders Launch 'Flint Love' Campaign

A shoe drive could bring thousands of dollars in assistance to the children of Flint, Michigan.
Louisville Water Leaders Launch 'Flint Love' Campaign

Mayor Greg Fischer joined members of the Louisville Water Co., Louisville MSD and WaterStep to launch a communitywide effort to provide funding for children in Flint, Michigan, who have been affected by high lead levels in their drinking water. 

The campaign, “Show Some Love for the Children of Flint with No Strings Attached,” centers on gathering shoes to raise money. 

“Our community has already donated thousands of bottles and jugs of drinking water for the citizens of Flint as part of the West Louisville Urban Coalition donation drive,” Mayor Fischer says. “Now, we’re ready to help with the long-term needs of children impacted by the high levels of lead in drinking water. Louisville is a leader when it comes to water – from the quality of our drinking water, to our research, to our green infrastructure and more. It only makes sense that we help in this crisis.”

The “Flint Love” campaign will contribute to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint’s Children’s Health and Development Fund, created in January to assist children and families affected by the water crisis.

During February, the City of Louisville, Louisville Water Foundation, MSD and WaterStep are asking the community to help fill a semi with shoes. Used shoes of any size, style or condition will be accepted. Typically, WaterStep sells shoes to an exporter, using the proceeds to provide safe drinking water systems around the world. However, during February, WaterStep will donate proceeds from shoe collections to Flint. 

“We are asking schools, churches, businesses and individuals to host shoe drives and clean out lots of closets,” says Mark Hogg, WaterStep founder and CEO. “We are hopeful that with the funds generated from collecting shoes combined with the community’s donations, we will be able to reach our goal of $30,000 for the children in Flint.”

WaterStep has more than 100 drop-off locations in Louisville. 

The Louisville Water Foundation, the charitable arm of Louisville Water, is spearheading the community drive and will also accept cash donations. Individuals can make a donation at LouisvilleWater.com/FlintLove through Feb. 29. 

“Louisville Water recognizes that we’re a lifeline to this community, and public health is at our core,” says Spencer Bruce, interim president and CEO. “The Louisville Water Foundation is focused on water assistance, and we can’t think of a better effort right now than helping children and families in Flint.”

The Foundation will announce its own donation later this month. Louisville MSD was the first to contribute with a $5,000 donation.

“MSD employees quickly jumped in to help last week with donations of bottles of water,” says Tony Parrott, MSD’s executive director.  “A lot of us have family members in Flint, and it is up to us to assist in any way to protect our children. “

The “Flint Love” campaign runs through Feb. 29. The groups will announce the total contribution to the Children’s Health and Development Fund in early March.

About Louisville Water Co. & the Louisville Water Foundation
Louisville Water provides safe, high-quality drinking water to more than 850,000 people in Louisville Metro and surrounding communities. Louisville Water began operations in October 1860 as Kentucky's first public water provider. The Louisville Water Foundation is the charitable arm of the company focused on providing water assistance and water education programs.

About WaterStep
WaterStep, headquartered in the United States, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that believes everyone should have access to safe water and that no one should suffer from waterborne illnesses. WaterStep implements water projects and equips people with tools and training in water purification, disaster relief, health education and well repair. What was founded over 20 years ago as a small mission group trying to find the best way to help others, has grown to become an organization with global reach that has saved the lives of people in two dozen countries through its safe water projects. Since 1995, WaterStep has brought safe water to people in over 30 countries. To learn more, visit waterstep.org.

About Louisville MSD
MSD manages wastewater, drainage and flood protection for Louisville Metro to achieve safe, clean waterways for our community.



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