To our families and our friends,

As we prepare to embark on our journey into marriage we often find ourselves in moments of reflection. We have been truly blessed and are so fortunate to share this life with people we not only call friends, but family. We are so proud to know and love each and every one of you.

On a recent trip to Ethiopia with non-profit organization Charity: Water we had an impactful realization of just how fortunate we all are. Max was visiting the village of Mai Getem where Charity: Water was preparing to build a well. The village’s only access to water was a tiny stream at the bottom of a rocky cliffside that was shared with local livestock. As a small child bent down to get a drink of water, Max looked up only to see a donkey urinating into the same stream just a few yards away.

When Max called home that evening a passion sparked in both of us that ignited a commitment to help stop this world water crisis. Did you know that 663 million people worldwide live without clean water? Or that diseases from dirty water kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war? Sadly, 43% of those deaths are children under five years old.

And so for our wedding, in lieu of a traditional gift registry, it is our wish that you help us support water relief efforts and make a donation to Charity: Water. Our wedding kicks off a campaign to raise $10,000 that will build a well for a community in need. If we reach this goal a matching donation has been committed for a second well.

Charity: Water is a reputable organization that promotes advances in health, income, education and women empowerment all through their work in providing clean water – and 100% of your donation goes straight to that work! We will receive GPS coordinates, pictures and updates upon the well’s completion, not to mention every donation is tax deductible.

We count our blessings every day and hope that we can help others in need. It is not about the material things in life that make you fulfilled, but rather the love you surround yourself with and your contribution to make this world a better place.

We are so grateful for all the love and support in helping us reach this goal.

Thank you.

Max and Steph