In the past, my birthday has been a story about receiving. This year, I want my birthday to tell a story of giving.

So to start, I'm giving my birthday up.

I'm turning 25 years old, and instead of asking for gifts, I'm asking for everyone I know to help me build a well--a freshwater well for people in developing nations.

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 they'll 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 in telling a better story.

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.

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On March 1, 2010, the Green Family lost George "Dickie" Green, my father's oldest brother and, possibly, the strongest carrier of the Green Family culture. The Greens have included this campaign as one to which gifts can be made in lieu of flowers. As we mourn the loss of one life, we can bestow life through freshwater upon others. With the utmost gratitude, I want to thank my family for supporting this campaign and express my appreciation for any gifts given in loving memory of my uncle.

He will be greatly missed.