This year, I want to do something that makes a difference for others my birthday. I know it's early,but I just didn't want to wait.

I'm turning 56 years old in 2012,and I'm asking for $1, $2, or $5 or more from everyone I know, whatever you can donate. I have set a goal to raise a total of $560 that will provide 28 people with clean water. Every cent of it will go to build freshwater projects for people in developing countries.

Almost a billion people in the world are living without clean water -- but how much are they really living? Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water. 30,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still have to walk hours each day to get dirty water for their families.

My birthday wish this year is to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion people living without it. I want to make my birthday matter this year, and I am asking for your help.

The best part: 100% of all donations go directly toward water projects. And about 18 months after this campaign ends, charity: water will show us where and how every dollar we raised ended up helping in the field. We'll see GPS coordinates, photos and more details about the communities we've impacted.

Please join me.