WARREN - Leslie Jackson does not want to spend his life talking about what people should do to help others.
Jackson, 66, wants to let his actions speak for him.
The retired man is bicycling from Chicago back to his home in Boston to raise $15,000 to dig wells to provide water to families and villages around the world.
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"There are people living in towns and villages around the world that do not have access to drinking water," Jackson said. "It is something that we take for granted."
Jackson, a former Warren resident, became involved with Living Water International about three years ago through his church, Reunion Christian in Boston.
"The church has been raising money to dig wells every Christmas and during Advent," Jackson said. "I guess I could have just written a check, but I wanted to do something more."
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Tribune Chronicle photos / Raymond L. Smith
Leslie Jackson, 66, of Boston is raising money through a bike ride from Joliet, Ill., to Boston to help pay for water well projects in needy communities around the world.
Tribune Chronicle photos / Raymond L. Smith
Living Water International began in 1990 in Houston, when a group went to Kenya and saw the devastating need for drinking water. When they returned to the U.S., they began a nonprofit, raised money and trained and equipped Kenyans to drill for water.
Over the years, the now-international group has been raising funds to buy equipment and train people in their native lands to drill for water supplies. They also train people in pump repair and hygiene methods.
Chris Winter, senior director for development with Living Water International, says the organization has been involved with the more than 11,000 water projects in 24 countries.
"Much of our funding comes from churches," Winter said. "We have some private donors and grants."
The nonprofit is a $22 million organization, with about 83 percent of all money donated going directly toward water projects.
The cost per well can range from $5,000 to $12,000, depending on location and depth required to dig.
A long-time bike rider, Jackson came up with the idea of the fundraiser with people providing income through donations. Jackson began his trip from Joliet, Ill., because he knew people in the city through his years in ministry.
"I preached a sermon, and at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 23 began my bike ride," Jackson said. "I've been averaging between 45 miles and 65 miles per day."
Jackson is hoping to get home by Oct. 21.
"People have been very receptive," Jackson said.
Jackson and his wife, Neelia, lived in Warren from 1970 through 1985. She was a math teacher in the Warren City Schools, and Jackson worked at the Fisher Body plant in Lordstown.
He became an ordained minister at Warren Eastside Church of Christ under the Rev. Ronald Fowlis.
Bob Faulkner, a member of the Warren Board of Education and a friend of Jackson, said he is not surprised that Jackson would do something for people, because he always has been a giving person.
"He told me about a year ago he was planning something like this," Faulkner said. "We are about the same age, and I don't think I would do 1,200 miles."