Every year the students on Team Dynasty read the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. The novel's protagonist, Atticus Finch, is the embodiment of empathy, courage, and understanding: all valuable and timely qualities for middle school students to develop.

Atticus's most impressive display of courage is when he is tasked with providing legal defense for an African-American man named Tom Robinson who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. Set in segregated Alabama during the Great Depression, Tom's fate is sealed before the trial even begins despite his innocence, and the residents of the town feel that Atticus's decision to defend Tom honestly is an act of betrayal.

By taking on the case Atticus is risking not only his own safety but also the safety of his children. However, rather than viewing the threats of the town as a reason to back down in the name of protecting his children, he sees the town's opposition to his actions as an opportunity to show his children the true meaning of courage.

As Atticus defines it, courage is "when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do."

It is with Atticus's definition of courage in mind that the students have been challenged to stand up for someone or something in our world which does not have a voice by choosing a cause to research and to write about.

Additionally, the students are being challenged to put their words into action by creating a community service goal. They have each created an action plan and are trying to accomplish it over the course of 6 weeks. Students are encouraged to spread awareness for a cause, to raise money to donate, or to spend time helping out.

In past years students have stood up for a variety of causes and have taken many creative actions to champion their causes. One student threw a baby shower for a homeless mother, several students have written letters to government officials, dozens of volunteer hours have been spent, thousands of dollars have been raised and donated, and we've even had one tree planted.

As the teacher of the class I too strive to follow Atticus's example be being a role model for the students. Plus, it seems only fair that if I am making the students write a research essay and undertake a community service project that I do the same.

This year I am trying to stand up for people who do not have access to clean water. Water is obviously critical for drinking but it is also just as important for sanitation purposes.

1,400 children die DAILY as a result from conditions related to unsafe drinking water. In total, nearly 800 million people are affected by a lack of access to clean water.

Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of this issue is that there are proven, low cost solutions to the problem. Solutions can be as simple as creating a system to harvest rain water or to use a type of BioSand to act as a water filter.

$100 raised will mean that 3 people get access to clean drinking water.

That means that every $30 changes a person's life.

One of the reason's I chose this charity to garner support for is because 100% of of the money donated goes directly to the cause.

Charitywater.org solicits large donations from philanthropists who pay for all of the overhead.

Therefore, any money you choose to donate will go directly towards helping people.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this (sorry it is so long) and if you are able to contribute, thank you for your generosity. It really is going to a good cause.