Here's Water Birthday #3 for me. We built a well when I turned 30, then 35 and now it's time for one more. Clean water is one of the easiest ways to change lives. So that's what we're going to do. I need $10,000 to build a well for one community or school. I'm turning 40. So you need to give me at least $40. That's just how these things work.

Some of you owe me big time.
*You got a 5 on an AP Calculus Exam because of me. Give me $40.
*I performed some free improv for you. Give me $40.
*I've been friends with you for over 40 years. (No, trust me, I did the math. Shut up.) Give me $40.
*I said that one funny thing that one time. Give me $40.
*I said that one inspiring thing that one time. Give me $40.
*I gave you that money one time for that stupid thing you were trying to raise money for. Give me $40.

Fun trivia fact (courtesy of former student Max C.) that may or may not be an actual fact, but I haven't come up with a counter example so we're just going to roll with it: What is the heaviest thing you can buy with $100?

Tap water. You can buy soooooo much water with $100 here in America. I can't think of anything heavier than $100 worth of tap water. It is so cheap and readily available to most people in the Western World. And it's so necessary. We've got it. We've also got lots of money. So give me your $40. C'mon, you've probably got a big boy/big girl job. You won't even notice that the $400 is missing. (That might be a typo, or it might not be.....)

This is all I want for my birthday. I just want to give $10,000 to people who actually need it. So give me your $40. (or $160 or $400 or whatever...)

Do it for me. Don't make me cry.

Do it for the kids. Don't make the kids cry.

Do it for Baby Jesus. Don't make Baby Jesus cry.

Love,
Eric

(Where's my $40?)