My birthday was June 28th, and although I love the usual self-celebratory, self-indulgent party- and bar-centric madness I typically enjoy, I decided to do something a little different: "give up" my birthday in the name of charity, specifically charity: water. The idea is, since I turned 35, that I'd donate $35 and see if any of my family and friends would like to do the same. I have enough stuff and constantly pamper myself, so I don't really need any gifts, and since we'd probably spend at least that amount on drinks and dinner anyway, maybe our money can go to a better place. I stumbled upon the idea while listening to The Bill Simmons Podcast, he was interviewing the organization's founder, Scott Harrison. Charity: water's goal is to end the global water crisis, something I'd heard of, of course, but hadn't fully understood. I've heard and read stories my mind can't shake: of people traveling 4 hours each way for a mere 15 liters of sludgy, chocolate milk-looking water; of women deciding among cooking, bathing, or washing clothes with such a small amount; of a 13 year old girl slipping and breaking her clay pot of water, and, not wanting to face the shame and guilt of harming her family, killing herself; and finally, the story of a 9 year old girl, Rachel Beckwith, who gave up her birthday to help people she didn't know. The birthday idea started with the founder, he gave up his 31st, and people of all ages took up the idea. Rachel wanted to raise $300 and got about 2/3 of the way there, told her mom she'd try harder the next year. A month later her mom got in a car accident, and, tragically, Rachel was killed. Her story spread and spread, eventually nationally, and to date roughly $1.2 million have been donated to her birthday fund. Amazing! I cried when I heard her story, and she is why I'm doing this. I'm not aiming that high, of course, just maybe hoping even 10 or 20 people will join me. The foundation gives 100% of donations to fund their projects, not a single cent goes elsewhere to "operating costs" or anyone else's pockets. They even use GPS technology to show you which projects you've helped fund, and connect you with the people you've helped. Pretty cool, compared to others' experiences with charities. I hope you all know I'm not trying to be on a soapbox here, and if you don't want to or can't donate, no worries. I'm just going to post a couple links here for those that would like to know more and maybe help out, and we'll see what happens. Thank you for reading, I appreciate it.

A little more on Rachel: http://www.charitywater.org/rachels-gift/

The Bill Simmons Podcast episode I referenced: https://soundcloud.com/the-bill-simmons-podcast/ep-101-scott-harrison