Media Contact:
Alex McDowell
417-234-6874 | alex@worldserveintl.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI AREA YOUTH RAISE OVER $5,000 FOR CLEAN WATER
Nearly 1,000 Children Support WorldServe International Charity Effort

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI – A new ministry program for kids recently launched by the non-profit WorldServe International has received remarkable enthusiasm – and thousands of pennies, nickels, and other coins. A Springfield-based charity, WorldServe worked with ministry leaders at four James River Church campuses, providing curriculum materials, “JerryCan” coin banks, and inspiration to encourage children to collect loose change to provide clean water in Africa. After learning about the water crisis and engaging in inspiring activities about compassion, the church’s elementary school-aged students responded with generosity. In total, the students raised $5,064.94.

WorldServe’s four-week, faith-based curriculum called “JerryCan” focuses on the global clean water crisis and conveys lessons in generosity in a manner children can understand and put into action. Clent Wells, Family Ministries Pastor at James River Church, said, “We didn’t set a goal of how much to raise. Instead, we primarily focused on teaching kids about generosity to make giving a habit. It was the clearest we’ve ever been able to communicate with the kids about generosity because we were able to show them how it could play out in their lives.”

Through engaging curriculum, thought-provoking activities, and a vlog series that follows 12-year-old Cruz—a local youth on his journey to Africa—the kids gained insight into children’s lives growing up in water-challenged communities. “JerryCan gives kids the understanding that the only difference between kids here in Missouri and kids in Africa is the geography of where they were born…our students now see that their world is bigger than before,” said Wells.

The JerryCan program intends to build youth leadership and compassion and raise funds – one penny at a time! – to address the world water crisis. A global health challenge, more than 700 million people worldwide live each day without clean water. Even before COVID-19, approximately 80% of illnesses were linked to poor water and sanitation conditions in developing countries. With the onset of COVID, the need for clean water continues to accelerate.

Women and girls are on the front lines of the water crisis, spending countless hours walking miles to retrieve water for their families, often from unclean sources. Their heavy load is often a jerry can—hence, the name chosen by WorldServe for the program. Children participating receive their own “Jerry Can” bank to take home and fill with loose change. As coins increase each kid’s JerryCan bank weight, the lighter the load becomes for a child in need in Africa.