Melissa Etheridge & Rob Thomas Will Sing For Water

The largest global water initiative in history is set to feature 6 km run/walks in nearly 100 cities across 50 countries April 18. The courses are each set at 6 km to mark the average distance many women and children around the world are forced to walk every day to get water. Along with the courses and live musical performances, the events will also feature water education villages.

Etheridge will perform at the Los Angeles Dow Live Earth Run for Water event, which takes place in Exposition Park.

“I’m a long-time environmental advocate and believe strongly that it is our duty as a society and as individuals to preserve our planet and its resources. I want to lend my name and time to this event because the global water crisis is an environmental issue that affects nearly one billion people on the planet and through this event we can raise awareness and money to help address it,” Etheridge said.

Thomas has been pegged for the Atlanta event. The run/walk begins at the Water Village area located at Pemberton Place, adjacent to the World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium.

“I am thrilled to be participating in this important event to bring clean, safe drinking water to the women and children around the world walking 6km every day to sustain their families,” said Rob Thomas.  “I encourage the Atlanta community to come out on April 18th because together we can make a difference in the lives of so many.”

Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz, singer/songwriter Angelique Kidjo, environmentalist Alexandra Cousteau, and model/ triathlete Jenny Fletcher will also join in on the April 18 event. Additional artists performing in Chicago, Minneapolis, and New York will be announced soon.

Funds raised from Dow Live Earth Run for Water events will go towards Global Water Challenge, a coalition of non profit organizations that help to bring clean, safe drinking water to millions in need worldwide including communities in Haiti, Central America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Between March 9 and March 23, Live Earth will donate $1 for each U.S. registration received to a special Haiti relief fund for safe drinking water through coalition partners CARE, Catholic Relief Services, Population Services, and UNICEF. Supporters simply have to enter promotion code HAITI when registering for a run/walk event in the U.S.

In addition to benefiting the Global Water Challenge, a portion of the fees from the Atlanta event will go towards the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, an organization that works to protect and restore the Chattahoochee River Basin. The river is the most used water resource in George, providing drinking water for 3.5 million people. It is considered one of the most threatened rivers in the United States.

“Live Earth is honored to have Melissa Etheridge and Rob Thomas as part of this global movement to help raise awareness for the global water crisis,” said Kevin Wall, Founder of Live Earth.  “Through the commitment of these artists, we are able to connect with a wider audience on this important issue and ultimately encourage them to participate in this movement to bring clean, safe, drinking water to the nearly one billion people on this planet in need.”
 
Click here for more information about the Dow Live Earth Run for Water.

Click here to register for the Los Angeles and Atlanta events.