Birthdays are usually about stuff. Stuff most of us don't want and definitely usually don't need!

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

I'm turning 44 years old, and instead of asking for gifts, I'm asking for $44 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. I realize many of you may not be folks who normally even give me a gift, but please consider helping anyway!! Once you watch the video link, how can you refuse?

A billion people in the world are living without clean water - but how much 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. I realize this is a difficult time for lots of us. If you can't give $44 (I know....I'm old!!), ANYTHING HELPS!! Love to all.....

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.