Last month, when I was in Texas speaking to some students at Abilene Christian University a faculty member struck up a conversation. We started talking about life in Nashville, Blood:Water, and family. In that awkward getting to know you lull of the conversation he asked probably one of my favorite questions, “What is your favorite part about your job?” I love that question because I get to brag on my Community Starters. What is a Community Starter you might ask?
Community Starters are our star volunteers in select cities who represent Blood:Water. Community Starters are passionate about engaging their city in creative ways to help us partner with Africa to end the HIV/AIDS and water crises. They donate their time and passion in their own communities to help raise money and awareness for our friends in Africa.

The reason I love bragging on these people is because each one is different and possess passions and skills that are unique to them. They, in turn, use those skills to creatively raise money and awareness. So, I am going to pretend you just asked me my favorite question, and I am going to brag.

Let me tell you about Kelsea Little, a lovely creative young lady who is a professional harpist in California. Kelsea threw a benefit concert last year for Blood:Water. The concert gave local artists and musicians the chance to display their talents and gain recognition for their music, all the while raising money for clean water in Africa. It was a huge success!

Then there is Kathy Teele. Kathy has a passion for event planning! Thank goodness for people like her! She recently pulled off a huge Bunco tournament in Greenly, Colo. I didn’t even know what Bunco was until recently, maybe you are in the same boat. Well, Bunco is a social dice game involving 100 percent luck and no skill. It is a fast paced game that keeps you on your toes. The object of the game is to accumulate points and to roll certain combinations. Kathy charged a small fee to enter and then raised money throughout the night. It was a huge success!

You see, at Blood:Water we encourage people to take creative social action in their local community to make a difference in Africa. We like to call it “Grassroots Action.” Since we embarked on this mission, we have been built on the backs of our grassroots volunteers and friends who have connected their sphere of influence with something they are passionate about, like music or Bunco, to affect change in Africa.

If you are interested in becoming a Community Starter, email [email protected].