One of my favorite roles as publisher of My Edmonds News is sharing news about the caring people who work every day to make our community and world a better place — and yes, there is a lot of positive news out there, despite the negative headlines we see every day.

While attending the Edmonds Daybreakers Rotary meeting earlier this week, I had the privilege of hearing a presentation by Carolyn Meub, executive director of Pure Water for the World. The statistics she presented were sobering: 4,000 people — many of them children — die each day from lack of clean water, caused by drinking contaminated water and poor hygiene habits. In the U.S., clean water “is something that we all take for granted,” Meub said.

Water for the World, founded in 1999, provides sustainable safe drinking water filtration systems, latrines and hygiene education to families and communities in developing countries, currently Haiti and Honduras. The organization works with local governments to determine the appropriate technology for the community, and focuses on implementing cost-effective projects, Meub said.

And here are some upcoming local events worth supporting:

– Lynnwood Bowl and Skate is teaming up with Steve Hartley of Muggshotz Caricatures in a fundraiser Sunday, April 21 for Edmonds-based Operation Military Family’s non-profit efforts for local military families. Hartley will try break the (unofficial) world record for the most caricatures drawn in one hour. Cost is is $10 per person if you want to participate and have your caricature drawn; $5 per person if you want to just watch.

– If you’re doing some spring cleaning, you can donate no-longer-wanted items to support scholarships for Edmonds School District students. Lynnwood Rotary Club is sponsoring its annual rummage sale in July at Meadowdale High School, and the club is accepting donations from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, April 27 at the high school, located at 6002 168th Ave. W. in Lynnwood.

– Visit Pur Skin Clinic in downtown Edmonds Sunday, April 28 from noon-5 p.m., and you’ll get 10 percent off the treatment of your choice, and 100 percent of the revenue will be donated directly to to Haiti Outreach — a 501 (c) 3 non-profit — toward building a well in Haiti this year. Learn more here.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

— Teresa Wippel, Publisher