On October 30th, I'm turning 19.

19 isn't a special age for anyone in our culture, other than it being one more year into adulthood and two years before 21. However, 1 billion people around the world would give almost anything to see their own or their child's 19th birthday. The solution? Clean drinking water.

I'm asking for $19 from everyone I know -- and every penny of the money raised will go directly to fund clean water projects in developing nations. $20 gives one person clean drinking water for a few years in a third world country, so each person who donates my age in dollars will be helping one person survive another two years! Even better, charity: water will show us exactly which projects we funded once they've been fully completed (which takes about 18 months). That means we'll be able to see the communities we've helped! Please watch the video and spread the word.

Some of you may remember me lugging around a milk jug full of dirty water for a week to raise money. I raised about $50. My goal this time is to raise 10 times that - $500 - by my birthday. If I pass that goal, I'll donate double my first donation.

Please join me to make this birthday count as something more than just material.

Water changes everything.