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Hi folks,

Thank you for visiting the site!  To get more content about my journey, please subscribe to my Substack.  Better yet, become a paying member!  All subscription fees go to the non-profit and will be directed to water projects to bring water to those in need of access to water.  I am not a professional writer but the Substack, titled “I Run For Water,” will highlight my journey in more detail.  You will hear about my training, my injuries, my thoughts.  You will hear about water, water quality issues, and information about my trips.  And sometimes, you will just get my random thoughts and opinions.  I hope you will give it a try.  The “I Run For Water” Substack will provide more in-depth analysis and information about my journey.  I hope you will join me on my journey and follow along.  Better yet, I hope you will follow along and donate.  And even better yet, I hope you will follow along, donate, AND sign up on this site to start your own fundraiser!  Thank you again.  We can all do a lot, by doing a little!

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Prairie Fire Foundation Founder Runs With Son To Raise Money For Water

April 30, 2025

Pella, IA

Prairie Fire Foundation founder, Mike Stein, recently ran a 5K in Pella with his son Luke.  Luke is traditionally not a runner.  However, he decided to train for a 5K as a way to provide incentive for him to lose weight and to get in better shape.  Luke chose the Klompen Classic 5K in Pella which serves as the kickoff for the famous Pella Tulip Time Festival.  Luke is an engineer at the Vermeer Corporation in Pella and also serves as a volunteer track coach (throwing) for Pella High School and Middle School. In addition to running, Luke surprised his dad by stating that he was also going to sign up as a volunteer runner and raise money for the Prairie Fire Foundation. Luke’s original goal was to run the 5K in 25 minutes and raise $500.  Luke states, “When I signed up to raise money, I really didn’t know what I was doing.  However, my dad helped me set it up and gave me advice on how to contact people to let them know what I was doing.  It was actually a lot simpler than I thought it was going to be.”

Luke exceeded both of his goals!  He finished the race in a time of 23:43 and he raised $1031.98!  Both were exceptional goals and achievements! Congratulations to Luke for becoming a volunteer runner with Prairie Fire Foundation. If you are a runner, biker, or even walker, you too can become a volunteer fundraiser. Founder, Mike Stein, won’t just help his son fundraise.  He will also walk you through the steps on how to set up and manage your fundraiser.  He will even give you plugs where he can from his Facebook and Substack accounts. You can sign up by visiting our website and clicking on the “Start Your Own Fundraiser” tab.  You can contact us with questions at info@prairiefire.foundation or through the “contact us” tab on the website.

Prairie Fire Donation makes generous donation to the Sister Water Project

April 26, 2025

Mike Stein, founder of the Prairie Fire Donation, travelled to Dubuque to meet a group of representatives from the Sister Water Project.  Stein raises money for water projects by running marathons and races while collecting donations for water projects.  Most recently, Stein’s son, Luke, became a volunteer runner for Prairie Fire Foundation.  Luke was able to raise over $1000 by running the Klompen Classic 5K in Pella, IA.  Congratulations to Luke! Luke’s totals were able to put the foundation balance over $5000 which meant it was time to cut a check to the Sister Water Project to begin the plans for digging a new well in Tanzania. It takes approximately $5000 to dig one well in Tanzania and one well serves approximately 1000 people.  Therefore, a single donation of $5.00 can bring water to one person in Tanzania for a lifetime! Can you join us by donating or volunteering? You can contact us through our website at www.prairiefire.foundation or emailing us at info@prairiefire.foundation.

Stein Speaks to the Optimist Club of North Liberty

April 20, 2025

When creating fire, so much depends upon the spark!

Prairie Fire Foundation founder, Mike Stein, spoke to a group of the Optimist Club or North Liberty.  The event was held at the Pizza Ranch in North Liberty at 1355 Hayes Lane, North Liberty, IA. Much information was provided and the group was active and asked a lot of great questions.  The Prairie Fire Foundation donation bucket was put out and attendees donated generously.

Speaking at Iowa City Noon Lions Club International

April 9, 2025

Mike Stein presented on the work of Prairie Fire Foundation and its support of the Sister Water Project and Safe Water for Life and Dignity.  These organizations work to provide clean, sustainable water to communities in need in Tanzania. Topics of the presentation were the global need for water for millions of people worldwide, highlights of fundraising efforts to help alleviate the water crisis, information on Mr. Stein’s travels to Tanzania and information on how one can help. Information was well-received and many good questions were asked and answered.  Prairie Fire Foundation also took in some donations from the group which were greatly appreciated! If you would like someone to speak to your group or organization, please message us in the contact us page or email us at info@prairiefire.foundation.

Speaking in Clinton, IA

April 1, 2025

Mike Stein travelled to Clinton, Iowa to speak at the Peace Soup dinner at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Clinton, IA on April 1st, 2025.  Mr. Stein, along with with Sr. Ginny Heldorfer and Sr. Rita Goedken shared the message about water and the Sister Water Project and the work being done in Honduras and Tanzania.  Free will donations were accepted at the end of the presentation and the crowd was very generous.  Prairie Fire is always willing to spread the message on water!  If you would like someone to speak to your group or organization, please message us in the contact us page or email us at at info@prairiefire.foundation.

“The Sister Water Project Helping Villages”

March 18, 2025

Excerpt taken from the Emmetsburg Reporter Democrat.  Written by Diane Weiland.

Michael Stein runs in races not necessarily to win, but to bring awareness to the Sister Water Project.  Mike can be seen running marathons in a t-shirt that says, “I Run For Water.”  He was in Emmetsburg over the weekend and ran in Saturday’s O’Round the Loch Run.  He also took time to visit about the Sister Water Project.

The Sister Water Project started in 2006 after the Dubuque Franciscans had studied global water issues.  The study in 2006 found that 1.1 billion of the poorest people in the world lack safe drinking water.  Every 21 seconds, a child dies from a water-related illness.  According to their flyer, after studying and discerning these global water issues, the Dubuque Franciscans began the Sister Water Project (SWP).

The goal of the Sister Water Project was to provide access to clean water for people in Honduras, Central America, and Tanzania, Africa.  Their first aim was to raise $42,000 to send volunteers to Honduras to help dig trenches to bring water to houses within a village.  They also wanted to build nine simtanks (storm water collection tanks) in Tanzania.  The initial $42,000 goal was met.  By April, 2007, nine simtanks were funded and built in Tanzania.  30 volunteers traveled to Honduras to help dig the trenches.

In 2024, a Sister Water Project team traveled to the village of Zacate Blanco in Honduras.  They worked alongside 100 Hondurans digging trenches for their water system.  As of March, 2025, the Sister Water Project has helped fund 66 large water projects in Honduras, serving approximately 58,524 people.  After a water project is completed, parasites and diarrhea greatly decrease among the people.  Before this, water was gathered wherever there was a place that held water after a rain including ditches and potholes.

Mike explained that in Tanzania, volunteers with Safe Water for Life and Dignity (SWLD) determine the villages most in need for a clean water project.  SWLD coordinates with villagers to complete well installations.  Villagers provide labor, tools, equipment, repairs and maintenance.  At the completion of each project there is a village celebration.

In January, 2025, a SWP team audited wells in Tanzania.  Well #1 constructed in 2007 is still working.  As of February 28, 2025, SWP has supported 493 well projects in Tanzania that now serve approximately 555,767 people.

Mike has been very connected with the Franciscan sisters.  He started to run marathons to bring awareness to the Sister Water Project.  In 2022, he raised around $8,000 for the project.  In 2023, he raised $16,000.  He has also done public speaking about the project to various clubs.

Mike says that his age is catching up with him and his running career may be winding down.  He still is involved in bringing awareness to the Sister Water Project.  He has traveled to Tanzania and Guatemala and plans to travel to Honduras at some time for a water project.

Recently, he set up his own website, www.prairiefire.foundation to accept donations for the Sister Water Project.  To make a donation, go to the website and click on the “Donate Now” button and make a one-time donation.

 

Speaking in Spirit Lake, Iowa

February 27, 2025

Mike Stein travelled to Spirit Lake, Iowa to speak to the congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Okoboji on Sunday, February, 23rd.  Mr. Stein shared his message about water and his running journey to raise money for water projects in Tanzania as well as about his travels to Tanzania.  He brought his “water bucket” for donations and the congregation generously donated over $300 to the cause.  Prairie Fire Foundation thanks the UUC of Okoboji for allowing us to come meet them and spread the “gospel” of water! Their message for the day was to be not just a hearer of the word, but a doer of the word.  Amen!

If you’re interested in a presentation for your group, or church, or workplace, please email us at info@prairiefire.foundation.

Check out my Substack!

October 24, 2024

Hi folks,

Thank you for visiting the site!  To get more content about my journey, please subscribe to my Substack.  Better yet, become a paying member!  All subscription fees go to the non-profit and will be directed to water projects to bring water to those in need of access to water.  I am not a professional writer but the Substack, titled “I Run For Water,” will highlight my journey in more detail.  You will hear about my training, my injuries, my thoughts.  You will hear about water, water quality issues, and information about my trips.  And sometimes, you will just get my random thoughts and opinions.  I hope you will give it a try.  The “I Run For Water” Substack will provide more in-depth analysis and information about my journey.  I hope you will join me on my journey and follow along.  Better yet, I hope you will follow along and donate.  And even better yet, I hope you will follow along, donate, AND sign up on this site to start your own fundraiser!  Thank you again.  We can all do a lot, by doing a little!

Seeking speaking engagements

September 17, 2024

I recently (January) traveled to Tanzania with the Sister Water Project (Dubuque Franciscans) and I will be going to Honduras with Sister Water Project in July. It’s a cause that I am passionate about.

Last Fall, I ran a marathon to raise money for the project and raised almost $18,000 which helped to dig 3+ wells. Anyway, I’ve decided that part of my “mission” should be to educate others about this as well. With that in mind, I am seeking speaking engagements (not for money) to talk about those who may be interested in my journey and water quality.

If you know of any such groups, organizations, platforms to get word out, etc….. I’d be happy to receive your assistance.

Thank you!

Runner goes the distance for clean water access – The Catholic Messenger

April 18, 2024

Mike Stein, center, participates in a well dedication ceremony in Tanzania earlier this year.

By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger

Mike Stein regularly infuses his running hobby with the desire to bring safe water access to communities in need. Stein raised about $17,000 for the Sister Water Project last year while preparing to run the Quad Cities Marathon.

In January, the pharmacist from St. Thomas More Parish in Coralville took his dedication a step farther, flying more than 8,000 miles to Tanzania to see some of Sister Water Project’s wells in action. By immersing himself in the communities, he better understands the need and sees the impact clean water can make. “It was powerful and moving,” he said.

The Sisters of St. Francis in Dubuque, Iowa, founded the Sister Water Project in 2006 to bring safe water to villages in Tanzania and Honduras. Stein’s late aunt, Sister Annette George, was a member of the congregation. Stein was among a group of 10 laypeople and religious sisters who traveled to Tanzania under the direction of longtime supporter Brian Gilligan. Checking on previously installed wells to ensure they are still delivering water properly, regardless of precipitation, was the group’s primary objective.

During the trip, Stein learned that about 60% of government-installed wells are unreliable or no longer work. “They don’t dig the wells deep enough and in the dry season there is no water,” he explained. Currently, all 407 Sister Water Project wells in Tanzania are in operation, thanks in part to community ownership and quality control, he said. Communities put money down for maintenance before local partners dig the wells. The pumps used to extract the water are manual, so utility access is not required.

Throughout the trip, communities expressed gratitude for the blessing of clean water access. Women and girls save time fetching water, providing more time for school or making extra income for their families, Stein said, adding that sickness levels in the community are reduced.

He was pleased to learn that communities with Sister Water Project-funded wells do not “gatekeep” water access. “Nobody pays to use it, even if they’re from nearby communities. Anyone who needs water can use the well.” Communities with wells regularly encourage other communities to reach out to Sister Water Project so they can experience the full benefits of local, clean water access.

Stein witnessed the ribbon cuttings of four wells – three of which were funded through his running campaigns. There was “a lot of singing and dancing,” he said. “I was thankful to the villages and communities for the opportunity to participate and celebrate with them.”

Stein won’t be running any marathons this year due to a lingering hip injury but is hoping to do shorter races in 2025 and get other runners involved. He’s also contemplating a trip to Honduras to help audit the Sister Water Project wells there. Water “is such a simple thing, but it’s so life changing,” he said.