Six Years of Showing Up: The Congregational Church of Burlington’s Journey in Clean Water
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Every year, The Congregational Church of Burlington in Connecticut gathers with a shared purpose—hands ready, hearts aligned, and a growing understanding of what clean water really means.
What began as a creative solution during a challenging season has grown into something much more.
In 2021, Andrea Cordani, a youth leader at the church, was searching for a way to engage families while gathering virtually during the coronavirus pandemic. After seeing a Wine To Water filter demonstration at a conference, she recognized an opportunity to bring both connection and impact to her community.
She reached out, organized a fundraiser, and distributed filter parts to families with school-aged children before opening the event to the broader congregation. Together, they hosted their very first Wine To Water Filter Build® Event—virtually.
Six years later, their commitment hasn’t just endured—it’s multiplied.
A Commitment That Compounds
Since that first event, The Congregational Church of Burlington has helped assemble 197 water filters—and counting—supporting communities around the world and strengthening Wine To Water’s ability to quickly respond when disaster strikes.
As the years went on, their gatherings evolved. By 2023, they were able to come together in person, transforming the event into a lively Friday evening filled with pizza, fellowship, and shared purpose.
This year, the church set a goal of building 45 filters. Twenty congregants—ranging in age from 6 to 80—joined in. The evening began with guided instruction from a Wine To Water representative, then shifted into a fun, team-based challenge that brought energy and laughter into the room.
But beyond the friendly competition, something deeper is happening.
Each filter represents time given, hands willing, and a belief that access to clean water should never be out of reach. Together, those efforts ripple outward—reaching families, restoring health, and creating stability where it’s needed most.
That impact isn’t always far away.
In 2024, following the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, Wine To Water responded by distributing more than 3,000 filters across affected communities. Seeing that response closer to home resonated deeply with the congregation.
“We appreciate specifically the fact that it’s a U.S. organization not only doing things outside of the U.S. but also being mindful of the crises that are in the U.S.,” Cordani said. “We really like that as we think about touching people nearby as well as having a broader influence.”
A Tradition Built on Purpose
Each year, The Congregational Church of Burlington sets a new goal—aiming to build at least as many filters as the year before.
Not because they have to, but because they believe they can.
What began as a one-time event has grown into a meaningful rhythm: reflecting on impact, setting a new target, and rallying together to meet it. Their fundraising process is fueled by both passion and purpose, rooted in a shared belief in the mission.
“We’ve got a core group of folks that really believe in the cause,” Cordani said. “They love the organization, they look forward to the Filter Builds, and helping individuals not as fortunate as ourselves.”
More Than a Milestone
Six years is more than a milestone. It’s a testament to what’s possible when a community commits—not just once, but again and again.
And they’re not finished yet.
With every filter built and every goal set, The Congregational Church of Burlington is helping push clean water further—beyond the last mile, into communities that need it most.
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Why Filter Sponsorship Matters
See how one filter can change everything for a family—and how your support helps us respond when it matters most.
Because lasting impact doesn’t happen all at once—it’s built, year by year, by people willing to keep showing up.