Walking for India’s well-being

The sky threatened to rain on them and even sent down a few drops, but two Fountain Valley kids continued walking and running for more than an hour to raise money for clean water.

Isaak Askenaze, 6, and his 4-year-old sister, Autumn, raised money to bring clean water to students in India at their fundraiser walk/run Saturday.

More than 30 kids and adults came out for the “Walk for Water” in Huntington Beach.

The two have raised about $1,800, but need $400 more to complete their goal. The money will be donated to Thirst Relief International to build a well at a secondary school in Southern India. The well will provide about 700 students with clean water.

Although the fundraiser is over, Isaak will continue to raise money by selling lemons from his backyard to his neighbors for a quarter each.

“It’s really important to help the poor,” Isaak said.

Despite not making the goal, mom Karen Askenaze said she isn’t worried.

“I’m pretty confident we’ll be able to raise the rest of the money,” she said.

Isaak and Autumn passed out fliers to their preschool and kindergarten classmates to promote the event.

The idea for the project was sparked by a discussion the kids had at their church about the earthquake in Haiti. The situation in Haiti inspired a family conversation about how to help people around the world.

“Every 15 seconds, someone dies because they don’t have clean drinking water,” Isaak said.

The family is no stranger to helping those less fortunate, having sponsored children and young adults, mainly in Africa.

The family’s goal is to eventually help someone on each continent, Karen Askenaze said.

How To Help

Go to www.thirstrelief.org and click “donate,” “India” and then make the donation on behalf of “Walk for Water.”