I've been a part of two eye opening experiences over the past few weeks. The first was my participation in Summit at Sea. I had the opportunity to meet and speak with people outside of my normal sphere of influence - people who are truly trying to change the world in meaningful ways. The second experience was hearing Scott Harrison, the founder of Charity Water speak live - and with incredible pasion - at a fund raising event in San Francisco. For the first time, I realized that I really want to participate in making the world a better place - and I'm asking my friends to help.

All of my birthdays have always been about stuff. To be honest, I just don't need more stuff.

So this year, I'm giving my birthday up.

I'm turning 37 years old, and instead of asking for gifts, I'm asking for $37 or more from everyone I know. It's not going to me, though. All of it is going to build freshwater wells for people in developing nations. If I can get just 100 of my closest friends to contribute to an incredibly worthwhile cause, we'll have hit our goal and made the lives of almost 200 people that much more livable - forever.

A billion people in the world are living without clean water - but how much are they really living? Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water. 45,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still walk hours each day to get dirty water to give to their families.

My birthday wish this year is not for more gifts I don't need; it's to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion living without it. I want to make my birthday matter this year.

Please join me.

please note: Because of charity: water's unique model, 100% of all donations go directly to direct water projects costs, and each donation is "proved" and tracked to the village it helped when projects are complete.