There are 800 million people in the world living without access to clean water. Let's change that!

My 30th birthday is around the corner and I don’t usually ask for presents, but this year I’ve decided to make an exception. I’m asking all my friends and family to donate to charity: water and give clean water to people who need it.

Did you know that almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean drinking water? Every day, 5,000 kids die from water-related illnesses before they reach their 5th birthday, the age of my precious little nephew Leo in the picture with me.

Since birthdays are often a time of reflection, I have taken the time to count my blessings, among them, having lived a healthy life thus far. In service of my gratitude, I hope to increase awareness that access to clean water is still an issue for many, and simple solutions like drilled wells, spring protections and BioSand filters can help provide potable water to communities around the world.

To do my part, I promise to match all donations that you contribute through this campaign. And if that wasn't enough of a kicker, The Westly Foundation (a foundation run by one of my Managing Directors) will match my contribution! That means for every $1 you donate, $3 will be given to those in need of clean water! Now that's a good deal :)

100% of our dollars will be used to build clean water projects in developing countries. charity: water pays their operating costs separately through private donors, so 100% of our donation will go directly to people in need.

Help me make my "Dirty Thirty" celebration a "Clean Thirty" one -- donate today!