By DENISE MOE
For The Reporter
In the midst of a rainstorm, Synergize gathered to support Fountains of Hope International’s mission to provide clean water to the world. The group raised $6,000 on May 27 at its 4:30 Meetup fundraising event, which benefits a different nonprofit organization each month.
Bill Farrar, founder of Fountains of Hope International (FOH), is a member of Synergize. He started FOH in 2009, inspired by his experience installing water filters as part of relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina. Each FOH purification system, designed by Farrar himself, provides 182,500 gallons of safe water per year.
The $6,000 raised at the 4:30 Meetup is enough to cover the cost of one full-size filtration system, which members of Synergize will install in Zimbabwe during a group mission trip in September. In addition to installing the filters, members will help Kathy Farrar, educator and wife to Bill, show children and teachers proper hygiene practices. The education helps minimize the spread of fatal disease.
(From left) Carmel City Councilor Jeff Worrell, Realtor Shell Barger, the Reporter’s Denise Moe and Synergize founder Arron Stanton (top). (Reporter photo by Denise Moe)
“The people in the places we go to don’t even know what a faucet is,” Bill Farrar explained at the event. To help provide life-giving water to those who have no access, he and Kathy Farrar have gone on countless trips in 17 different countries. “What we love is to help people all over the world … our goal is to flood the world with these purifiers.”
The Farrars have been to Zimbabwe before – in fact, they were married there. The Synergize members that accompany them on the September trip will have the opportunity to install up to three water filters in Zimbabwe schools. Each filter will provide local children and families with almost 2 million gallons of clean water over the next 10 years.
“Frankly, it’s a privilege for Synergize to raise money for Fountains of Hope,” said Heather Hunter, Synergize Marketing Coordinator. “So many people complain about suffering in the world, but very few take action for change. Bill and Kathy devoted their lives to actually making a difference. They set an example for all of us.”
FOH also provides pallets of nutritious food to famine-stricken areas, and funds teachers at schools in Haiti and other countries. To learn about how you can go on an FOH Mission Trip or donate to their cause, visit fountainsofhope.org.
Synergize is flipping the script on professional relationships. To join the movement, or to learn more about Synergize Ripple of Impact partners and the group’s audacious goals for 2021, visit synergizeindy.com.