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About Us
Katie Spotz '08
One of the strongest motivators for 2008 alumna Katie Spotz to row solo across the ocean was knowing that every one of her one million oar strokes was helping to make a difference in the world. Spotz set a world record as the youngest person to row across the Atlantic ocean solo, covering 3038 miles in 70 days while increasing awareness and raising money for safe drinking water worldwide. She accomplished both her goals and to date has raised $150,000 for the Blue Planet Run Foundation, a non-profit organization that funds safe drinking water projects for people around the world in need.
Spotz began her journey in early January from Dakar, Africa; 70 days later, on March 14, she landed in Guyana, South America. “Originally my goal was to help 1,000 people gain access to safe drinking water, and with the generous support of people all over the world, we have now enabled over 3,000 people to gain access to safe water for life. A $30 dollar donation to the Blue Planet Run is enough to provide one person access to safe water, and now, for every one of the 3,038 miles I covered, we provided safe drinking water for life for one person,” Spotz said.
“Knowing that just one person will have safe water for life has made every one of the oar strokes it took to get across, worth it,” she added. “Reaching the $100,000 mark is an example of how one idea can spark a thousand small acts, and I am continually amazed and humbled by the support behind this journey.”
Lisa Nash, CEO of Blue Planet Run, says Spotz continues to spread the world about the need for safe drinking water around the world. “Her efforts will transform the lives of over 3,300 people—we can’t wait to see what Katie will do next.”
In her home state of Ohio, Spotz is a marketing representative for Kinetico Inc., an international home water systems company based in Newbury. She speaks at schools and health/fitness centers across the United States and Canada to promote more personal responsibility for water conservation.
Spotz has since begun a new campaign called “Schools for Water,” a campaign to challenge ten schools in the states to help ten schools in Kenya. To date, they've helped more than 9,000 students gain access to clean water and broke a world record along the way. The students gathered and broke the record for the most people carrying water jugs on their head, ultimately helping raise awareness for the millions of kids in need of safe water.
At Warren Wilson Spotz majored in business and economics. She chose to participate in Bike and Build, a Habitat for Humanity project for her service, and, in the fall semester of 2008 she joined the Warren Wilson crew team. Of Warren Wilson Spotz says “It was important for me to be a school where people ‘got it’. Warren Wilson definitely played a role in who I am today. I was blown away by how inspiring Warren Wilson students are. Everyone is involved in so many interesting things and this encouraged me to continue on my path.
At Warren Wilson Spotz majored in business and economics. She chose to participate in Bike and Build, a Habitat for Humanity project for her service, and, in the fall semester of 2008 she joined the Warren Wilson crew team. Of Warren Wilson Spotz says “It was important for me to be a school where people ‘got it’. Warren Wilson definitely played a role in who I am today. I was blown away by how inspiring Warren Wilson students are. Everyone is involved in so many interesting things and this encouraged me to continue on my path.”
http://news-herald.com/articles/2012/05/17/news/doc4fb4fc9360e07123312401.txt
http://news-herald.com/articles/2012/05/26/news/doc4fbfd21f9ed09796567123.txt