WORLD VISION
We are Jim and Sylvia Kosloski, the parents of Hannah Elizabeth Kosloski who died September 13th, 2007 in a tragic horseback riding accident. Our efforts to raise enough money to fund the digging of a well for clean water through World Vision is a way of celebrating and honoring the life of our daughter. Though Hannah was only 13 yrs old, she had a habit of setting goals. It didn't matter if it was to learn to ride her bike, being a Praise & Worship Leader at church, running for office in her 4H Club, being included in the Stroia Ballet Company productions, winning piano competitions or being invited to perform in the Honors Concert at the University of Minnesota, or (after helping her mother for an hour at a World Vision display where 10yr old Hannah inspired the sponsorship of about 20 children) setting a goal of 100 sponsorships.
When Hannah died, we were asked, "What would you like people to do - they will want to help - and will want to know what you need." Our response was "Ask them to help Hannah's Dream come true...ask them to sponsor a child, pray for, write to, and love that child the way Hannah cared for her 'sponsored brother' Sandun, of Sri Lanka." Many people sponsored a child (but we haven't reached 100----yet ), some families sponsored one for each of their children, some churches and youth groups collectively sponsored a child or two, but many people sent monetary gifts inside their sympathy cards instead. We decided to donate that money to World Vision to pay for the digging of a well for clean water in Kenya, Africa. As more people heard about Hannah's Dream and wanted to be a part of her legacy of love - more money kept coming in. It became apparent to us that 'God-given Dreams' are too big to die and that because of a lot of people coming alongside us, collectively we can take the concern, love and compassion of a young 13 year old girl's example to change the world of a poor community that is half way around the world. That is the purpose of the "Riding for WATER, so that hope WELLs up" Bike-a-thon Sept 13th 2008
The Willard Munger bike trail of MN is flat, paved, and scenic. While 'radical' bikers will love the chance to bike for hours or even the weekend---a short, gentle paced riding distance on Sat. only will be appreciated by the rest of us. We begin Saturday at 9:30am with a Balloon Release Memorial in Moose Lake and be returning there by aprox 4:00pm. Lunch is provided in Willow River (where her Daddy grew up) and for us non-radical bikers, this will be a long rest stop of 1-2 hrs before returning to Moose Lake. For those who'd like to stay and either bike or hike, or enjoy the beauty of northern Minnesota's fall colors for the whole weekend, there are many hotel/motel and camping facilities in the area (check our link). Duluth's north shore of Lake Superior, it's quaint lighthouses, and the breathtaking Gooseberry Falls State Park are some ideas for Sun. For the convenience of those overnighting it, there will be a short, non-denominational Christian Worship Service at 9:00am at the Moose Lake City Park pavilion, with Sylvia sharing "Hannah's Secret".
Details/Registration/Info www.hannahshundreds.org ) Fully functional target date for this site is JULY 1st.
Before you leave this site to get on with your own busy life - think for just a moment - What would life be like for YOUR family if its ONLY source of water was a polluted, diseased-ridden surface runoff pond? Has anyone in YOUR family ever had to carry just 2 gallons of water for even 2 miles? What if EVERY day, for the better portion of each day, your family had to walk 1-5 miles to fetch water and then lug the heavy containers home? In many countries, even 3-5yr olds do that, but the water that they work so hard for - makes them sick - so sick that 1/2 of all the deaths of children are due to the water. Imagine, water too scarce to raise farm animals or food, and too heavy and time consuming to concern yourself with laundry, hygiene, or sanitation.
Hannah realized that she was fortunate to be born in a part of the world where water runs freely---but that unfortunately, not everyone is. She would read through each World Vision magazine and pray for rain and for food for those who were hungry, but she also prayed that the hearts of the families who take their 400 gallons of clean water per week for granted would be moved to help. We are praying that YOU are one of those who will want to join us in our efforts. Maybe you can't attend our event, but you can pass this on to others thru 'myspace', 'facebook', & email lists, (and since the web is worldwide--please include people in foreign contries). And you can donate. Even modest donations help!
God bless you for all your efforts in helping make Hannah's Dream come true!!!
"Thank-you" Jim & Sylvia Kosloski
For more about Hannah's legacy, to view photos, upcoming events, other ways to help, "Comments & Clips", copy and paste www.hannahshundreds.org into your web browser.
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support our fundraising efforts.
( P.S. Please pray for good weather
& the safety of our participants!)
(for those using this site to leave a donation, while you may choose to remain anonymous, please leave the first and last name of the biker or walker participant you are supporting in the COMMENT section--it will help with our record keeping. Telling us how you heard about us will help us with our planning efforts next year. Thanks!! :)