Birthdays are usually about getting stuff. Stuff I definitely don't need. So this year, I don't want my birthday to be about me, I want it to be about others and what they need.

I'm turning 30 years old. Not necessarily excited about turning 30, but if I must turn another year older, I want my birthday to be about giving to others.

I'm being challenged with the realization that my purpose in life is not about me, it's about loving and taking care of others that are in desperate need. It requires more than just thought, it requires action. And this is just one small way to act.

Instead of asking for gifts, I'm asking for $30 or more from everyone I know. If you can't give $30, give what you can. Any amount will help those in need.

This money isn't for me. 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 well 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 in giving to others. It might require a small sacrifice on your part, but it will make a huge difference in the lives of people. It will provide them with something we take for granted every day.

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.

thank you for joining me in helping to provide clean water to those in need.