Sunday the 17th of April saw Aveda Water Warriors around the country take part in a series of 6km walks to raise awareness and funds for water-challenged communities around the globe, as part of Aveda’s Earth Month.
Aveda’s Earth Month, held annually every April for the past 12 years, has managed to raise a whopping US$18 million for organisations that directly affect environmental change, and US$12 million for water-related causes in the past four years. Not bad for a company who also manages to find the time to create luxurious, effective environmentally friendly hair and body care products.
Melbourne’s Aveda Walk For Water saw a turn out of approximately 100 people walk the 6 kilometre round trip from Catani Gardens to Port Melbourne, with Sydney trekking the beautiful coastal track of Bondi to Bronte. Well-known personalities who participated included Tracy Spicer, Sarah Wilson, Sami Lukas and Kyly Boulder.
Why 6 kilometres? It seems unfathomable to a developed nation like our own, but 6 kilometres is the average distance women in developing nations travel daily to access clean water. This Earth Month alone, Aveda aims to raise US$4 million globally to protect and raise awareness for clean water. “It’s a basic human right that nearly 900 million people are left fighting for daily,” said Aveda.
While the fight for equality in water access remains high on Aveda’s priority list, 2011 saw their fundraising efforts zero in on Australia’s own water supply and ecological issues; a result of the devastating floods and Cyclone Yasi. Donations from the Walk For Water events will be distributed locally through the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal, along with the already pledged $50,000 donation from Aveda at the time of the crisis. Add $1,150 from Walk for Water contributions and you’ve got a hefty some that will no doubt make a much needed positive impact on people’s lives.
Media personality, blogger and Sunday Life columnist Sarah Wilson is supportive of the re-direction of funds for 2011. “It’s fantastic that the fundraising will assist the QLD Premier’s Flood Appeal, because there is a sensitivity to the fact that we are facing serious ecological problems due to the floods, and now Australians are needing help to get clean water.”
“There is also a real need to clean up the ecosystems and waterways after the devastation of the floods. Earth Month, as a whole, is geared to people in third world countries who don’t have fresh water, but this year it seemed very appropriate to have the funds directed at Queensland’s water issues. Another benefit is people get more engaged when things are local,” said Sarah.
So, how can you get engaged with the cause if you weren’t able to make it to a Walk For Water event? “In Aveda stores during the month of April, go in store and donate in there. There are also products like the Light The Way candle, where 100% of the proceeds go to Earth Month. They make a great gift for somebody,” said Sarah.
The limited edition Light The Way candle, which retails for $24.95, is available during the whole month of April, with all proceeds donated to Water Aid. Not only will the lavender essentials oils relieve stress, but you can relax in the knowledge that your actions have contributed to helping water become an essential resource that everybody has access to.
If you’ve never experienced the ‘experience’ that is an Aveda store or its products, Sarah can point you in the right direction. “Shampure essential oil smells amazing, I have loved it for years. I wear it as an oil on the inside of my wrists, it’s a very grounding oil with lots of grounding spices. A lot of my curly-haired friends use their Be Curly range, it’s incredible at taming curls.”
Onya Magazine applauds Aveda and their Water Warriors for its amazing fundraising and conservation efforts, here and abroad. Hopefully in the future there will not be the need for events like this. As fun as they are, water access for all would be a far better event to celebrate.
