All of my birthdays have always been about stuff. Stuff I don't want, stuff I definitely don't need. And to be honest, I hardly even remember what I got last year.

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

I'm turning 28 years old, and instead of asking for gifts, I'm asking for $28, 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.

A billion people in the world are living without clean water - but how much are they really living? 45,000 people will die this week alone from issues that could be solved if only they had clean water...

How can this be happing in a world were we celebrate my birthday by giving me stuff...

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.

The guys who have created charity:water I have met personally, and I could not believe more in what they are doing. 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.

So what are you waiting for? Celebrate my big two eight by doing some good...

Love you all,

Josh