Alyssa Milano Helps Drop in the Bucket Charity Generate Outpouring of Support for African Wells

Oct. 20, 2010 - PRLog -- Los Angeles (October 20, 2010) – The Drop in the Bucket “Cause on the Rocks” fundraiser presented by Causecast was hosted by esteemed actress, designer and philanthropist Alyssa Milano at the Viceroy Santa Monica on Tuesday, October 19.  The evening raised funds and awareness for Drop in the Bucket’s work improving the health and safety of children in Africa by bringing clean water wells and specially designed Eco-sanitation systems to African schools, particularly those regions such as northern Uganda and Southern Sudan.  

"Every person on the planet deserves access to clean water and sanitation, said Milano. “I appreciated the opportunity to be a part of the Drop in the Bucket fundraising event. It was inspiring and motivating."

Milano was introduced by Drop in the Bucket supporter Henry Rollins, who expressed his own admiration and support for the work of the organization. Benson Deng, co-author and subject of the book, " They Poured Fire On Us From The Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan," was the guest speaker of the evening, relating his experience as a former child refugee from Sudan to the region’s current need for fresh water.  

Organization co-founder John Travis ended the presentation by detailing Drop in the Bucket’s progression in four years from the first volunteer meetings around a kitchen table in Los Angeles, to the full-time operations they have established in Africa, including offices in Gulu, Uganda with six drilling and construction teams.

“We appreciate everyone’s support tonight for our work bringing clean-water and sanitation to rural Africa,” added Drop in the Bucket executive director, Stacey Travis.  “Over 4,500 children die each day from water-related diseases and your help allows us to develop additional ways to reduce that number.”

DJ Native Wayne from KROQ and INDIE 103.1 FM provided music for the evening while guests filled out bid sheets for silent auction items such as an original print from famed civil rights photographer Ernest Withers, a signed Quincy Jones limited edition embellished giclee and handmade African jewelry, fabric wristlets and bags.  

Among the guests joining Milano, Rollins and Deng to support the organization were Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame Member and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Booker T. Jones; actor Ade M’cormack [Blood Diamond]; musicians Gerald Casale [Devo] and Ken Jordan [The Crystal Method]; and actresses Jill-Michele Melean, [Mad TV], Lee Meriwether [All My Children], Shelby Young [The Social Network], Kate Linder [Young and the Restless] and Heather Tom [The Bold and the Beautiful].

The benefit committee for the event included: Simon & Sara Renshaw, Rob McDermott & Rebecca Salgado-McDermott, Andy Gould, Chris Specht & Patty Ivins-Specht, Cassie Lambert, Anthony Dominici & Georgia Archer, Mary Noon, John and Stacey Travis, Sonja Nelson and Leah Willensky.

Photos taken of African children enjoying newly installed wells covered the walls of the event and throw pillows created by event organizer Marketing A Cause were imprinted with water facts to remind guests of the crucial impact of the funds raised during the evening.

Additionally, 100% of the proceeds from the Voli Vodka-created drink “Splash of Life” being sold for $10 during the evening—and throughout the month of October—at Viceroy Santa Monica also benefited Drop in the Bucket.

About Drop in the Bucket

Drop in the Bucket is a 501©(3) non-profit organization that was formed by Los Angeles-based entertainment industry professionals in 2006 after hearing about the impact of the World Water Crisis in Africa.  

DITB partners with humanitarian groups, civic organizations and local government in Africa to identify need, and then work directly with local African communities to install water wells and sanitation systems at rural schools, with a specific focus on the post-conflict regions of northern Uganda and southern Sudan. The organization addresses the unique challenges associated with these regions by implementing alternative, simple and inexpensive new technologies. Their groundbreaking pour-flush Eco-Sanitation system was especially designed to break down sewage into safe, 100% pathogen-free, 85% pure water in 28 days.

The organization’s efforts result in reduced instances of death due to diarrhea; increased enrollment rates at schools featuring newly installed wells and sanitation systems; and economic growth within the communities surrounding the schools. In the past four years, thanks to detailed planning and increased financial support, Drop in the Bucket has dramatically improved the health, sanitation and quality of life for well over 100,000 school children in Tanzania, Mozambique, Chad, Kenya, Northern Uganda and South Sudan.  

A cornerstone to Drop in the Bucket’s approach is maintaining a low overhead and minimal operating costs to insure that donor dollars are always being used prudently, with almost 90% of funds going directly to the cost of building wells and sanitation systems, a testament to the care and consideration that goes into expenses.

For more information about donating to Drop in the Bucket, visit http://www.dropinthebucket.org, http://www.facebook.com/dropinthebucket or Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dropinthebucket.

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Drop in the Bucket is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that uses innovative thinking and a hands-on approach to create permanent solutions to the African water crisis. Working directly with local African communities, they install water wells and Eco-Sanitation systems at schools, with a specific focus on the post-conflict regions of northern Uganda and southern Sudan. They strive to address the unique challenges associated with these regions by implementing alternative, simple and inexpensive new technologies, as well as providing proven standard methods of accessing clean water. DITB partners with humanitarian groups, civic organizations and local government to identify need, as well as to create and implement programs that are community driven and designed to produce long-term, sustainable results. Their mission is to inspire more independent, self-reliant communities.