We are so thrilled at the response that Katie Spotz has generated and the awareness that it is building for the global water crisis. We at Blue Planet Run have known ever since we met Katie that she was a unique, powerful, focused woman who set impossible goals and met them. Katie has been a great supporter of Blue Planet Run and believes passionately in our mission to bring sustainable, safe drinking water to people in need as their first step up on the ladder out of poverty. Let me share some great stories:
Several people have contacted us since Katie’s launch saying that they, too, wanted to undertake an athletic challenge to raise funds for our safe drinking water projects. A college student in Oklahoma already has biked 600 miles for water because of Katie. A woman is planning to bike across the country for water this summer because Katie inspired her. Many younger students have written to us saying that they’re starting lemonade stands and school fundraisers for our water projects because they think Katie is “cool” and they want to do something great, just like her. A woman in California, after hearing Katie interviewed, asked if we could set up a donation page for her to send to her wedding guests so they could contribute to our water projects.
We are spreading the word about Katie as she continues her journey. People comment that they love reading her blog and feel like they are out in the midst of the ocean with her! We even highlighted Katie’s voyage a few weeks ago when we sent out a Valentine’s email to our community!
Perhaps most special, our partners at Pure Water For The World, who will implement one of the projects in Haiti that Katie is raising money for, have told us that it is so important, during this time of devastation in Haiti, for their staff and the people they help to know there is someone working day and night for them. They call Katie their “shining star”. Let her star keep shining and having the tremendous popular impact that it is.
Lisa Nash
Blue Planet Run
{ 22 comments }
Water is such an important resource to our planet, yet your cause has not been followed all that much by your hometown newspaper, The News Herald. Yesterday there finally was a (small) article about what you have been doing. I will give the NH a bit of credit –since part of the article was on the front page! Perhaps when you hit land again, they’ll jump on the bandwagon. Keep going, Katie! My family has been watching your progress weekly! You’re almost to your goal!!
Since the format of Katie’s website has changed a bit I can no longer locate the map under Where is Katie Now? I really miss looking at the map and seeing her nearing the coast – any way to put it back up? Thanks
Like many others, I have been following her progress from the beginning. I new right away that she would finish her “event” that moment I talked with her and sensed her enthuism. Too made the media isn’t faster at picking up her story until the very end. I am interested in the book when it comes out. Good luck and Godspeed!
Hi Katie! Your journey was highlighted on the 6 and 7 pm news last night. it was great to hear your voice via satellite phone. you are doing fantastic. keep your spirits up and keep rowing. we are so excited for you. oh, and many thanks to your mom for posting her blog. only a mother can understand where she’s coming from, and it was a beautiful post.
be safe… see you soon ! 
Hello Katie!
Yaaaaaaaaay! You’re back!
I mean… Your maps back, ha HA!
Wow, check out the progress you’ve been making! Could it be that you finally lasso’d one of them dolphins? Must be kicking up quite a bow wake too. You’d better slow down for the no-wake zone when you get into port, less the marine police pull you over, lol.
If you were in the Olympics you’d win a gold medal for sure!
Row on and stay safe
@ Lisa Nash- Nicely said! And yes, Katie ‘is’ all inspiring!
Katie, in our eyes you are a gold medal winner already…
keep it up and be safe.
Katie the Selfish Saint…
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa… Just wait a minute and hear me out before you lash me to the stake and set me ablaze!
No, I’m not trying to diss (disrespect) our esteemed champion. And I’m not trying to canonize Katie to sainthood (even if I think she’s ‘all-that’ and a ‘bag-o-chips’.)
‘Selfish’ and ‘saint’ can be ambiguous terms. Let me digress…
Katie (in my opinion) is a ‘saint’ for having shown such heroic virtue in the service of others; for her higher moral sense, and for being an exemplary role model.
The ‘selfish’ part comes from how she implements this service to others. With epic, superhuman, marathon adventures of her desire. Not through formidable difficulties being thrust upon her. Merely quests, chosen by Katie to fulfill her own aspirations.
Service and inspiration to others with grand achievements for oneself… A win-win game chosen by the player. Hmm… Not a bad concept.
What kind of world might this be if we’d all resided in this one notion?
And that folks is why Katie is my ‘Selfish Saint’! (to coin a Norman phrase
Ok, fire away!
hey katie my name is olivia I am in 6th grade at norton middle school. i know mrs.gurber. she is my princibile. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
GOOD LUCK AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
Katie must have caught a good wave to ride the rest of the way. Last check was over 4 and a quarter knots. Wow! Or went fishing for marlin and hooked a good one heading west.
Thanks for putting the map back up.
Hi Katie; Just heard you on XM radio with Rosie.
Wow, what a story.
Good luck and now your website is on my favorite list.
Judy
Katie I just checked in on you also, and saw that your speed was 4.77 knots!!! Are you crazy??? Keep up the great work!
>Katie I just checked in on you also, and saw that your speed was 4.77 >knots!!! Are you crazy???
It’s a sailboat speed. It looks like “Blue Planet Run” can do a miracle for their project.
You are welcome to see what is a real speed can be in Jester Challange or 1000-3100 miles race and what people feel and experience there. Good luck for all people in Ocean or Ground who are going beyond their capacity.
Hello Katie – I just got your postcard today from Dakar dated 12/30/2009. The way I figure it, you can row across the ocean faster than the mail can be delivered from Senegal!
I have been thinking of you and watching you all the way. You are a very amazing person! My spirit is there; the birds are the spirits taking care of you. You will be home soon. Love, Liz
heard you on Rosie radio, way to go girl. will be following you.
Be safe.
I just heard about the huge earthquake in Chile anf the tsunami warnings. Chile is on the Pacific coast and all of the warnings are for the Pacific. At his time you are not affected by this but keep up on the latest information. Only a few more days to go, good luck.
Hello Katie,
Brilliant job on Rosie Radio!
Stay Safe!
@ Liz Franks
RE: “The way I figure it, you can row across the ocean faster than the mail can be delivered from Senegal!”
Ha! Too Funny!
Hi Katie, I am excited that you ae nearing land and are over the top on your $50,000.00 goal for fresh water for persons in dire need. However, you are not neaaring the end, you are nearing the beginning of a great commitment to securing more and more funds for water projects. The educational opportunities are almost unlimited. Talk about challanges and reaching the impossible dream! You are cllosing in on the time to fashion a bigger dream of fresh water . I do not know what it might be. You may or may not know. If you have been able to sleep0n board, maybe you have been able to dream of children drinking the fresh water and givng them assurance of a future. Keep up the rowing and the good works for humankind. Your accomplishments are fabulous. Best to you in the days ahead. May your joy flow like a fountain and fresh water like an ever-flowing stream, Thanks . You are a Gold Medal Winner!
Ed
Hi,
I think this is a great thing that you are doing. It is time help awareness for fresh water. You are doing a great thing and I hope you have a safe next two weeks. YOU GO GIRL!
Courtney
Hello Katie –
My math teacher at MICDS told us about your website. I think it is a great thing that you are doing! You are very brave to cross the Atlantic Ocean by yourself. God bless and keep up the good work!
Sophia, age 10
Hello Katie –
I am SophiaP’s mom and we are visiting your website together and learning more about your endeavor. I am very impressed and moved by your dedication to the needs of others. I pray for your safety and that you remain strong and faithful throughout the rest of your journey!
Best regards, Maria
Hi Katie, Ava here and I go to MICDS in St. Louis, MO. I think what you’re doing is really great and helping so many people! GO KATIE! Other than water, what else are you finding people really need?
Comments on this entry are closed.