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SANDY — Professional photographer Mylo Fowler grew up on an Arizona Navajo reservation without electricity or running water.
So when the Gold King Mine in Colorado spilled three million gallons of mine waste into the Animas and San Juan rivers, Fowler made a game plan to help the affected families.
Though Fowler's photography typically sells for $4,500, he is selling select photos for $5, $10 and $25 and will use the proceeds to purchase bottled water for the Navajo families living in southern Utah in Mexican Hat, Halchita, Oljato and Paiute Farms.
"Growing up on the reservation, we grew up with no running water, and so we had to make every drop or every cup really count," Fowler said. "Every bit and piece of water we used was absolutely crucial for us, because the nearest place for us to haul water was 25 miles away."
Since Fowler launched his campaign over a week ago, he has raised $13,500, exceeding his $5,000 goal.
Fowler plans to take a few trips south to deliver the water, the first trip on Sept. 26. He is working with employees from the Oljato Chapter who know which families are in need of the water.
Shirlee Bedonie, the community service coordinator for the Oljato Chapter, said this will most likely be the last donation they will accept since their needs have been filled.
Fowler plans to use any excess funds raised to go toward donating water to these locations and possibly other communities on the Navajo Reservation in Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.
Recently, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released an "I'm A Mormon" video featuring Fowler. The video was filmed over a year ago, and Fowler believes the traffic the video has seen has helped people become aware of his campaign.
"I'm not asking for thousands of dollars, that's not what I'm after, it's really getting a lot of people to pitch in just a little bit to make a big difference for people that are a part of our state that need the assistance," Fowler said.
To buy one of Fowler's photographs, visit his website. Fowler plans to film the water delivery so donors can see the people they are benefitting.
