On December 14, 2012, I will have reached the age of 24.

I don’t plan on having a large birthday party, nor do I expect to receive many presents. But that’s good, because the truth is that I don’t need either. Over the past 24 years, I’ve been blessed with an abundance of gifts that allowed me get where I am today and continue to carry forward. While my future is still in the making, my “present” this birthday is an opportunity to give back.

This year, I want to celebrate my birthday by giving life to others. When investigating various charities, I was drawn to the mission and methods of charity: water.

I've always lived in a world where an unlimited supply of clean drinking water is a simple faucet turn away. However, for over 1 Billion people in world today, the only source of water is found in an open river or swamp, open to contamination from animal waste and hours away from their home.

This organization, charity: water, has proven that "water changes everything." By providing communities with wells, pumps, and water resource management tools, lives are changed. Improved sanitation reduced disease, time that no longer must be spent collecting water is invested in education and productivity, and food can be grown reliably and safely. With a 4 out of 4 rating on Charity Navigator, charity: water is an organization that has earned the trust of donators by committing 100% of donations to go directly to water projects.

$480 will bring clean water to 24 people. Starting on November 11/20/12, that's 24 days until my 24th birthday to change 24 lives.

So, for all my friends and family who were planning to send me gifts for my birthday this year, I ask that you direct your generosity toward this charity instead. For those who were considering making charitable donations this holiday season, I hope this campaign will serve as a compelling and easy opportunity to do so.

24 days to change 24 lives. Will you celebrate with me?