Walk for Water FAQ

Walk for Water is the largest grassroots fundraising event in support of a healthy Lake Winnipeg. These family-friendly, pledged walks take place each year in various lakeside communities.

The first Walk for Water event took place in 2007 in Matlock. Other lakeside communities began organizing their own walks soon after.

No. If you plan to walk in one of our events, simply arrive before the designated start time and volunteers will assist you then. If you are unable to walk, you don’t need to register at all! You can collect pledges in person and mail them to LWF, or collect pledges online.

No - there is no fee to participate in Walk for Water, although participants are encouraged to collect pledges and/or make a personal donation.

No. These events bring together people of all ages and abilities, so please walk at a pace that feels right for you. Many participants bring the whole family – including the dog!

Yes. If you’re biking, please wear a helmet, follow basic rules of the road and use the appropriate level of caution; many people (including small children and pets) will be walking and it’s important that everyone stays safe. As well, please note that some Walk for Water routes encompass a variety of terrains including grass, wooden boardwalks, gravel paths and the occasional hill.

Walk for Water routes vary depending on the community. Walk routes are usually between 2.5 and 5 km in distance.

Definitely! You’re welcome to participate as a team, or help out by by volunteering. Organizations and businesses can also get involved by offering support in the form of a corporate donation or sponsorship (contact us for more information).

Proceeds from Walk for Water are donated to the Lake Winnipeg Foundation (LWF) and used to translate science into solutions for our shared waters: funding projects; training citizen scientists; advocating governments; educating students and community groups; supporting administrative costs; and using the Lake Winnipeg Health Plan to address the root causes of harmful algae blooms.

Yes, LWF provides charitable receipts for donations of $20 or more. For a donation of $50 or more, you will receive a one-year LWF membership. Make sure you collect accurate and complete information from your pledgers to ensure that we can issue a receipt! If you are fundraising online, charitable receipts will be automatically issued and emailed to donors.

Fresh air, exercise, and the opportunity to meet other lake-lovers and learn about freshwater stewardship. All participants receive a free t-shirt – and the chance to win some amazing prizes! After the walk, we encourage you to stay for refreshments and entertainment, pick up educational materials, or browse LWF’s unique fundraising products.

Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes and bring a reusable water bottle. Don’t forget to also bring your pledge form and the money you raised.

Walk for water events will proceed as planned in rain, however, if there is a risk of lightning walks will be cancelled for safety reasons.

There are lots of other ways to get involved in Walk for Water! Participate as a pledger by donating to someone who is walking, create your own personalized online fundraising page, or help spread the word by sharing information about our events on social media or putting up a poster in your community.

No, you can do both. In fact, you may find that creating a personalized online fundraising page helps your on-the-ground fundraising efforts. Sharing your efforts on your social media networks will make it even easier to collect pledges from out-of-town friends and family.

Absolutely! Contact the LWF office to make arrangements.