Ashley Westrich loves to doodle. She’s a part of the creative team at charity: water and her doodles are sprinkled throughout our design. Last week, she launched a fundraising campaign for her birthday, promising that she’d doodle the name of every person who donated on her page. Just when we think fundraisers can’t get more creative, someone like Ashley thinks of something completely new. Want to see your name doodled? Just donate $29 on Ashley’s fundraising page.
Exactly two days ago, Sandy blasted the East Coast and lower Manhattan full of wind and water and left our Soho office in the dark. Everyone at charity: water is alright, but many members of our team are without electricity, internet or running water. Thankfully, our longtime friends and supporters, Lynne and Steve Foote, have taken us in and allowed their spacious and cozy home to be overrun with power cables, laptops and un-showered charity: water staff.
We’ve set up camp here for the next day or two, and we couldn’t be happier about our temporary office. Lynne and Steve have supported the charity: water mission from year one and have been dear friends. Their daughter Madeleine was our very first intern in 2006, and last year, Lynne came with us to Ethiopia to see the wells she helped build with her mycharity: water birthday campaigns.
This was our first day in our new temporary office, and we have to say, we can definitely get used to this!
We’re so thankful that we’re safe and that we’ll be able to return to our office soon, but we know that many on the East Coast have lost everything, and are sleeping in storm shelters tonight. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with them.
- the charity: water staff
A lot happened at charity: water in 2011, so we put some extra TLC into our 2011 annual report. We also decided that this was the year to go digital, so we made it a website! Read all about the events, milestones and stories that made last year unforgettable. Launch the 2011 Annual Report »
Cubby Graham has been our friend for a while.Last year, he flew to NYC just to help us set up for charity: ball. Then, he gave up his 25th birthday for clean water. And now, he’s stepping up his commitment to clean water in true Cubby fashion — he’s grown a pretty epic beard, and he’s willing to cut it all off to help raise money for people in need. A few weeks ago, he started two campaigns on mycharity: water: one to save his beard, and one to shave it. The winning campaign (The one that raises the most money by December 9) will dictate what Cubby does with his face.
(By the way, Cubby’s mom would love for you to give to the “Shave” campaign. ☺ )
Ever wonder what goes into the making of our September Campaign videos and stories? Besides unhealthy amounts of caffeine and all-nighters at the office, we have a little fun, too. And plenty of adventure.
Watch the video and scroll down for a rare peek behind the scenes at the making of this year’s September Campaign.
The charity: water team enjoys a brief break between shoots on the June trip to Rwanda. From left to right: Jon Reisinger (Videographer), Paul Pryor (Videographer), Scott Harrison (Founder), Viktoria Harrison (Creative Director), Jamie Pent (Videographer/Editor), Melissa Burmester (Project Manager), and Matt Oliver (friend of charity: water). Not pictured: Natalie Ingle (Copywriter). 
Latifa (translator), Jamie, Melissa, and Natalie strike a pose for their imaginary band in front of a sign for one of Rwanda’s most popular beers. Paul and Jon take aim at the town of Kigasa.
What would a set of travel photos be without a picture of food? This lunch is sweet potatoes, cooked green bananas, “Irish” potatoes, veggies, eggplant in nut sauce, and beans. And, of course, orange Fanta.
Want to know more about the people we met and the projects we’re working on in Rwanda? Watch the videos and check out the stories on our September Campaign site. Then join us.
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