Last year in July, a gentleman came to speak at my church that created a charity that I truly believe in. For my birthday this year, I want to give up the gifts that don't mean much and instead give the gift that truly changes life: water.

Many of us have no idea what it's like to be thirsty. We have plenty of water to drink -- even the water in our toilets is clean.

But many people around the world don’t have that luxury. Every day, about 1,400 children die from diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are simple solutions like drilled wells, spring protections and BioSand filters that help provide clean water to communities around the world.

I started this fundraising campaign to help charity: water provide these types of projects around the world, and I'm looking for anyone who can help me.

100% of the money will be used to build clean water projects, and when they’re complete, charity: water will send us photos and GPS coordinates so we can see the exact community we helped. This charity separates their operating funds (backed by private donors) from these donations, so that 100% of your money goes directly to the cause.

I'm asking for each of my friends and family members to donate what they can. It only takes about $35 dollars to give someone fresh water to drink. It takes $10,000 to build a well for an entire community, and one day I hope to do exactly that.

Thank you so much for your help. This means more to me than I could ever say.