Last year, we were inspired to campaign for charity:water because of our precious daughter, Addie, who was adopted from Ethiopia. When we brought her home, she was recovering from the effects of salmonella that ravaged her little body from dirty water in her bottles at the orphanage. Her transformation since this time has been a miracle and a testament to what clean water, proper nutrition and love can do. She is a healthy, happy toddler with a beautiful spirit who fills our home with laughter and our days with joy.

What is even more amazing than Addie's transformation is how our journey to Addie has changed us. Our faith is growing, our priorities shifting, our committment to help other vulnerable children taking root. We are devastated to learn of the drought in the Horn of Africa and the resulting famine affecting more than 11 million people who are severely lacking access to food and clean water. We are hopeful that charity:water's efforts will help to break the cycle of poverty and lead to long term change for those that are suffering.

This year we have another reason to feel passionately about bringing clean water to Ethiopia. A very special little boy, Teagan, who has been in an orphanage waiting for a family for three years. He may not realize it yet, but he is already loved and we look forward to the day when we can bring him home!

We were so blown away by the support from our friends and family of our campaign last year. Now with the crisis happening in the horn of Africa, we know that we can not sit idly by while children continue to die due to the lack of clean water. The really cool thing is that this year, donations will go directly toward funding a drilling rig to dig more wells in Ethiopia. Please consider making a donation to bless others with clean water because water changes everything. Thank you!