LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An anonymous $500,000 donation made in honor of Tommy Elliott, who died during the mass shooting inside Old National Bank last April, will go toward an international clean water effort.
Mark Hogg, WaterStep Founder and CEO, said the half-a-million-dollars will launch the expansion of clean water technology that will "transform health outcomes for millions of people around the world."
In one of the few public appearances she's made since losing her husband Tommy during the Old National Bank shooting, Maryanne Elliot looked formidable, and graceful, accepting the donation on hers and Tommy's behalf.
"It is truly a selfless and generous act and a beautiful way to honor him," she said. "In the midst of deep loss and grief, there's not only a search for the evidence of hope, but how that hope might be inserted amongst the lives of others."
Joined by her friend of 16 years, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear applauded Maryanne's strength.
"Just to see how she continues to lead with grace, to try to use one of the worst moments, I know, of her life in ways that benefit other people -- you see a little glimpse of God there," Beshear said.
WaterStep is a Louisville-based non profit whose mission is to provide safe water to communities in developing countries.
According to officials, WaterStep has launched several pilot projects for simple water treatment and sanitation systems in health centers, hospitals, and prisons located in Sengal, The Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kenya.
"The results of these pilot projects, combined with the anonymous donation given in honor of Tommy and Maryanne Elliott, puts WaterStep on the precipice of lasting, transformative change in underserved communities around the world," Hogg said.
He said WaterStep hopes to receive an additional $5 million to help expand these projects.
According to officials, more than 2 billion people across the world don't have access to safe water and 80% of all worldwide diseases are caused by contaminated water.
“I’m truly moved by this anonymous donation to WaterStep that was given in Tommy’s memory – this gracious and selfless act aligns with what he would have done for his community,” Maryanne said. “Tommy would have been so proud to see Kentucky leading the way for a cause as vitally important as safe water. I know his legacy will live on as long as people work to do good in this world — starting at home and in their own communities.”
Hogg said WaterStep has had 5,294 projects in 74 countries that have impacted over 12 million people.
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