The family of Anabel Reid will host the third-annual Anabel Reid Event for Water on their family farm in Petersburg, May 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Anabel Reid was a sophomore agricultural and environmental science major who was killed Nov. 4, 2011 in a tragic bus accident while traveling with the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
Reid’s dream was to supply clean drinking water to impoverished countries. The event is a way for family and friends to come together in fellowship and celebrate Anabel’s life as well as help raise money and awareness for the Water4 Foundation.
Shelly Reid, Anabel’s mother, said it will be different from the last two years they had fundraisers.
“Unlike the last two fundraising events, it will not be a run,” Reid said. “Family and friends will come together and clean the two-mile stretch of County Road 5300 that we just adopted. This road leads up directly to our family farm.”
Reid said Red Mango will provide treats for everyone at the fundraiser.
“Red Mango has been a great partner for the last two fundraisers and will be at the event giving out free treats to everyone involved,” Reid said. “Also, they will be selling some items and donate the proceeds to the Water4 Foundation.”
Reid said an initial fee will not be charged for the event this year. They will take any donations offered.
“This event has always been a time for fellowship and to give back to less fortunate people from different countries,” Reid said.
The last two fundraising events were running and walking-based where participants of the fundraiser would take laps around the Elmer Gray Stadium and donate.
Shalaina Lakey, senior special education major from Hamlin, said she is astonished how much good Anabel is achieving and that her dream to supply clean water to countries has influenced many people on campus.
“My twin sister has actually taken a few mission trips to Africa, so I’ve been told some horrific stories about what the people go through to get clean water,” Lakey said. “I just think there is something so special about how the Reid family and other organizations are coming together to make Anabel’s dream come true.”
