Sequim

High students met Friday, Dec. 11, to pool their funds and plan to

spread the “Advent Conspiracy” among their friends. Mallory Maloney

holds a $10 bill, representing the cost of providing one child with

clean water for life. His co-conspirators are, from left, Hannah Apelt,

Anthony Ignagni, David Lopes, Audrey Lichten, Quinn O’Neil, Sarah

Berkes, Mackenzie Grinnell, Georgia Williams, Chris Lopes, David

Richards and Spencer Chisnall.

High school youths at

Dungeness Community Church believe that Christmas still can change the

world, and they have partnered with the Advent Conspiracy

(www.AdventConspiracy.org) to celebrate Christmas by raising money to

build wells in countries where clean water is unavailable.

“More people die from lack of clean water than all the natural disasters,” said David Lopes, a senior at

Sequim High and leader in the church’s youth group.

“Ten dollars gives a child a lifetime supply of water.”

According

to the Advent Conspiracy Web site, more than 3,900 children die each

day from water-borne illnesses that are preventable when a clean water

source is available.

Raised $800 in ’08

Last year the DCC youth group raised $800, according to Mallory Maloney, a Sequim junior. This year, he said,

“Our goal is just to get as many people involved as we can.”

The

teens have presented a promotional video to their own church and are

encouraging their friends at school to contribute to the life-giving

water project.

Each interested student gives money and asks

friends to participate, too. Collection containers will be placed in

classrooms for donations. They also are promoting their cause in

newspapers and on radio to invite the public to participate.

Grass-roots effort

The

Advent Conspiracy is a grass-roots movement with more than 1,000

churches in 17 countries participating as co-conspirators. In addition

to supporting the drilling of wells, they encourage congregations to

think of meaningful acts of kindness as an option to replace

traditional gifts.

“This is a different way to celebrate,” said Hannah Apelt, a sophomore at Sequim High.

Last

year through Advent Conspiracy, $3 million was raised for relief

projects providing clean water and medical attention in needy

communities around the world.

For additional local information about the project, contact DCC youth pastor Wayne Yamamoto at 683-7333 or 461-3887.

Reach Sandra Frykholm at sandralfrykholm@olypen.com.