There are 800 million people in the world living without access to clean water. Let's change that!

In a few weeks I'll be turning 39 (eek!). This year rather than having any particular birthday event or gifts, I'm hoping you'll help support one of my favorite charitable organizations, charity:water.

Charity:water helps communities all over the world develop sustainable water projects. They do amazing work. You can learn more about the impact they are making here.

Every penny of the money raised will directly fund clean water projects in developing countries. (They use other sources of revenue to pay for the administrative costs) Even better, charity: water will show us exactly which projects we funded once they've been fully completed (which takes about 18 months). That means we'll know the locations and names of the communities we helped.

I'll be traveling in Panama for the next few weeks for a little mid-winter sun. Although Panama isn't one of charity:water's project locations, they are doing work in Central America (Guatamala and Honduras) and many other countries around the world.

To spread the word about the importance of clean, safe drinking water, my goal is to have (at least!) 39 people contribute to the campaign. Give a little or give a lot, every dollar helps!

As a fun incentive, if you contribute at least $39, I'll send you a personalized video thanking you for your donation from somewhere in Panama. The Panama Canal? At the Coffee and Flower festival in Boquete? On the deck with a seco punch in Bocas Del Toro?

Thanks for your donation and here's to an amazing 2014 and my 39th year!

Lorena