Roughly 175 Grundfos employees joined family, friends and corporate partners in its annual Walk for Water event held in Kansas City, Mo., and Aurora, Ill. The initiative was designed to raise awareness about the global water crisis and to raise funds for safe, sustainable water solutions in developing countries.

In partnership with Water Missions International, the non-competitive, educational event is meant to illustrate the plight of people in developing countries who sometimes walk four miles each day to obtain water, which is often from contaminated sources. Halfway through the 3.5-mile walk, participants filled three-gallon buckets with water, simulating the literal burden of life in a developing nation.

Grundfos first held the event in 2012, and to date has raised more than $200,000 for Water Missions International that has provided thousands of people with daily access to safe water in Haiti and Uganda.

“The innovative water-pump technology provided by Grundfos is used by Water Missions to deliver safe water to people in need around the world,” says Lauren Jernigan with Water Missions International. “Grundfos’ Walk for Water partnership with Water Missions International allows employee to see firsthand the impact and personal toil of the global water crisis.”