The holidays - a time for family, comfort and love. Joy to the world, right?

Here's the reality, though, of Christmas in our world: America spends around $500 billion a year on Christmas gifts. That's more than $600 a person. We also spend another $8 billion on decorating for Christmas.

Meanwhile, more than a billion people are living without water on our planet. Some walk miles every day to get to the nearest source: a stagnant, parasite-infested stream or pond. They lug it back to their families. They suffer from diarrhea, worms and skin diseases because they can't wash themselves. 45,000 people die each day from waterborne illnesses.


Isn't there something wrong with this picture?

The purpose of Christmas is Christ- not materialism. And Jesus made his purpose clear to us - sacrifice. He died so that we could live. And we struggle to keep that the focus of Christmas while we're busy buying and unwrapping gifts.

Let's face it, we actually sacrifice very little. But what's small to us can be huge to someone who lacks basic health necessities.

This Christmas, I'm taking a step back from that world. I want to give more than gifts that fit in boxes.

My mission is to raise $5,000 by Christmas this year. 100% of every penny I raise will go directly to the water projects. And every project is "proved" using GPS technology and photos and put on Google Earth. Together, we'll be able to see the impact we've made.

One billion people, one cause. The least we can do is give one Christmas.

Please join me by donating.