Every birthday, I'm asked, "What do you want for your birthday?" I first think about what I need and then quickly realize that I don't need anything.

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

I'm turning 38, and instead of asking for gifts, I'm asking you to give whatever you might have spent on me or any amount 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.

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.

Please join me.

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.

Thank you for thinking of me. Hopefully, this year I've introduce you to a need greater than any of mine.

Greg