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.

Check out both campaigns, and donate to save (or shave) Cubby’s beard!

(By the way, Cubby’s mom would love for you to give to the “Shave” campaign. ☺ )

Both campaigns have taken off, but Cubby’s not stopping there. He’s now making custom designed Save/Shave t-shirts that support each campaign.

We’d never been to a health facility that offered rabbits to patients in need of a cuddle–until we visited Rwanda. At the clinic in Shyorongi, Donathile does her best without clean running water. But, through the September Campaign, her biggest wish is about to come true.

It takes more than pipes and pumps to make our water projects run in Rwanda. And those projects provide a lot more than water.

They create jobs.

Take Dieudonne, for instance–he has the tools, the team, and the drive to make sure thousands of people get clean, safe water every single day.

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).

The kids of Gitambi go crazy when Vik demonstrates her jump-roping skills. Jamie is surrounded by new friends in Remera-Mbogo, and Paul and Jon set up our so-called “Jerry cam” in Kigasa.

With a tripod in place of a telescope, Vik surveys the Land of a Thousand Hills. Melissa reluctantly gets up close and personal with Bagina’s cow in Kiviri.

Scott tries out the latest youth fashion in Kigasa–a forehead sticker. In Kiviri, Jon and Jamie try recruiting new videographers, but the equipment is nearly as big as they are.

Melissa hitches a ride with a staffer from Water for People in Kiviri. On the way to a celebration in Kisaro, our truck starts spewing blue smoke. Once at the ceremony, Scott surveys the gathered crowd from on top of a water tank.

Lack of sleep catches up to Paul and Jamie, goofing off in the Nairobi airport. No wonder they didn’t sleep–equipment nearly covers the beds in Paul’s and Jon’s hotel room in Kigali.

Playing with kids is always one of the highlights of visiting new countries, and they can never get enough of Scott. Even Natalie’s hair is a source of fascination.

Jon, Paul, and Scott all aim their lenses at a woman they passed on the road, while Matt holds a reflector. Paul gets down on the kids’ level.

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.

What goes around comes around, and that’s why Karma Koin is pledging to raise $250,000 for charity: water. They’ve always given away 1% of every purchase made with their prepaid cards, but when they found out about our September Campaign for Rwanda, they committed to funding an entire water project. If they’re successful, Karma Koin will help us build the whole Kirikumuryango Spring Protection System which can serve 16 tap stands–including two schools, a clinic, and a community center–and give clean water to 3,600 people in Shyorongi, Rwanda.
Way to share the love! Visit their campaign page here >>