Many of DCs restaurants – including Central, DC Coast, Westend Bistro, 1789 Restaurant, Bebo, Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar, Black Salt, Seasons, Hanks Oyster Bar & Marcels – will participate in the U.S. Fund for UNICEFs nationwide Tap Project during the week of March 16, culminating on World Water Day, March 22. The Tap Project, a grassroots initiative to provide clean water to children around the world, invites individuals to donate $1 for the tap water they normally get for free at participating restaurants.
Lack of clean water is the second largest killer of children under five. This year the Tap Project goes nationwide, including Washington, DC.
The Tap Project brings to Washington, DC an incredibly simple concept to encourage restaurant patrons to help bring clean and safe water to the children of the world, says Chef Robert Wiedmaier of Marcels and Brasserie Beck. As a Tap Project volunteer, I am glad that so many restaurants agree it is our duty to use tap waterour single most bountiful natural resourceto reduce child mortality. We are counting on more DC restaurants to register and get on board.
Last year, over 300 restaurants and thousands of their patrons in New York raised more than $100,000 to provide four million children with safe and clean water. Participants included high-profile media executives, chefs, and a host of celebrities. The Tap Project is the first of its kinda national grassroots effort offering individuals and restaurants across the nation a simple and effective way to make a difference in a childs life.
More than one billion people do not have access to clean water or adequate sanitation, and one in five of them are children. Eighty percent of all illness and infant mortality is due to waterborne disease.
UNICEF works in more than 90 countries around the world to improve access to safe water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities and to promote safe hygiene practices. Over the past 15 years, more than a billion people gained access to improved drinking water and sanitation facilities. UNICEF’s goal is to reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe water and basic sanitation by 2015.
This year, the Water & Sanitation Rotarian Action Group will join with thousands of volunteers across the U.S. to support the TAP Project and to raise awareness of this vital issue in their communities. A little goes a long wayfor example, with $1 UNICEF can provide 40 liters of safe drinking water, which is enough to give one child safe drinking water for 40 days, or 40 children safe drinking water for one day.
To view the current list of registered DC area restaurants, visit www.tapproject.org/restaurants/info. Registration questions and volunteer opportunities for the TAP Project can be directed to co-City Coordinator, Polly Wiedmaier at TAP@marcelsdc.com.
