On March 12, I'm turning 26.

Let's be honest: most of you visiting this page wouldn't normally buy me a birthday present (and I wouldn't expect you to). But this year, I'm trying something different for my birthday, and I'm hoping maybe you will try something different as well.

A billion people in the world are living without clean water. Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water. 45,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still walk hours each day to get dirty water to give to their families.

So, this year, instead of asking for gifts for myself â?? things I don't need, things I won't use, things that won't help anyone â?? I've decided to give up my birthday to help people who actually NEED it. I'm asking for $26 or more from everyone I know. It's not going to me, though. All of it is going to build freshwater wells for people in developing nations.

I've donated and plan on continuing to donate throughout the year. Please join me.

In fact...
<strong>I WILL MATCH ALL DONATIONS TO THIS CAMPAIGN UNTIL WE REACH THE $1,000 GOAL.</strong>

Thank you in advance for ANY amount you can donate to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion living without it.



please note: Because of charity: water's unique model, 100% of all donations go directly to direct water projects costs, and each donation is "proved" and tracked to the village it helped when projects are complete.