This year for my birthday, I want to do things a little differently.

Today is my 24th birthday, and instead of asking for presents or celebratory toasts, I’m asking for something much more sustainable.

Many of you may be aware that I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with an amazing organization this summer called charity: water.

charity: water operates on a transparent 100% model (I've personally seen the finance and water project teams work tirelessly to prove every dollar donated goes directly to the field), working to provide clean and safe drinking water to every single person on the planet. A lofty goal indeed.

My lofty goal is to help.

$5,000 would raise HALF the amount needed to sponsor a well project in a developing community.

I know that’s a lot of cash, but like the water crisis (at a staggering 663 million people who lack access to clean and safe water) that number can be broken down.
(In your wedding, at a dinner you hosted, on your party bus to prom — were there are least 9 people in attendance? Statistically, one of them has never had a clean glass of water to drink in their life.)

- More than 840,000 people die each year from a water related disease.
(Where my beautiful San Franciscans at? That’s more people than the population of your entire "bae.")

-Women and children spend about 3 HOURS a day walking with 40 pounds of contaminated water on their backs.
(Imagine watching the Game of Thrones season finale 140 times. RIP Jonny boy. Then doing it 139,999,860 MILLION more times.)

So yes, $5,000 seems like a lot of cash. Especially for the majority of my Generation Y’ers, ballin’ on a budget with that first job, straight out of college.

(I feel you. Truly I do. Contrary to popular belief, being a full-time volunteer for the past year hasn’t dropped many — or any — commas in my checking account).

But even if it’s only sparing $10 dollars — 2 Starbucks coffees this week or 4 Dutch Bros for my west siders ;) — you’d be helping make a HUGE difference.

A few dollars toward 5,000 could drastically change the living conditions of thousands of people.

And in turn, drastically alter their lives.

—

Every single day Helen woke up before dawn to walk 5 miles down rough Ugandan terrain to collect dirty water.
And every single day, she faced the same decision of how to distribute the mere 10 gallons amongst her family.

“How should I use this water today? Should I water my garden so we can grow food? Should I wash my children’s uniforms? Should I use it to cook a meal? Should we drink this water?”

And by the end of the day, Helen never, ever had enough left to wash herself.

Until Helen's village received a well from charity: water.

With tears of joy brimming above a brilliant smile, Helen exclaimed, “I feel beautiful for the first time in my life.”

It goes so much deeper than simply water. Please join us, and help change everything.