On April 29, I'm turning 24.

At first, this seemed surreal, even daunting.

Then I found out that millions of people don't live to see their 5th birthday. And why? Because they didn't have access to clean, safe water.

So trust me, I'm not scared of turning 24 anymore. In fact, I'm celebrating my birthday like never before.

I'm asking for $24 from everyone I know - and every penny of the money raised will go directly to fund freshwater wells in developing nations. Even better, every dollar is "proved" when the projects are complete, and photos and GPS coordinates are posted using Google Earth.

My goal is to raise $2000 by my birthday, April 29, and $4500 by the time I leave for Jamaica on June 30 (I probably won't have a laptop there, so I figure this is a good date to stop.)

I know my birthday is only 2 weeks away, but I figure that if you operate like me, it only takes about 60 seconds to donate (15 seconds to consider what you could buy YOURSELF with that money, 15 seconds to step outside yourself and let go of the money, 15 seconds to let your heart be moved by the fact that you're helping your brother across the ocean survive, and 15 seconds to ACTUALLY donate.........those of you who donated quicker than that, I commend you)

Thanks for the help guys!