Last year, I had the pleasure of hearing Scott Harrison, the founder of Charity: Water, speak to a room of 1,000 people. I've heard a lot about the amazing work that they do, but knew little of Scott. His story is nearly as inspiring as that of the charity itself (more on this in a second). At the end of his inspiring and candid talk, he asked us all to donate our birthday to their mission to bring clean water to those in need. It's unsurprising that all 1,000 hands raised into the air. Long story short, this year I'm donating mine.

The long story's pretty interesting as well. Especially if you aren't familiar with Scott and Charity:Water. In his late 20s, Scott was essentially living a life of depravity. As he puts it, "I'd made my living for years in the Big Apple promoting top nightclubs and fashion events, for the most part living selfishly and arrogantly. Desperately unhappy, I needed to change. Faced with spiritual bankruptcy, I [...] asked the question: What would the opposite of my life look like?"

The search for that answer led him to Africa and the opposite of depravity ended up being a charity that has now brought clean water to over 3 million people. 

While I am not staring down the barrel of a life of depravity, its never a bad idea to try to do something nice for others. It's in this spirt that I'm asking those I care about to consider taking a moment to give back. It seems a far better way to celebrate a birthday I'd likely end up either ignoring or squandering. So while aiming far lower than Scott, I'd like to try to start out my 33rd year by helping 33 families get access to clean water by raising $3,300.

It's a lofty goal, but a worthwhile cause. As all of the funds needed to run Charity: Water are provided by their corporate sponsors, 100% of your donation will go to fund clean water projects. If you are willing, it would mean the world to me if you would donate.