We are going to save more than 1,000 lives between now and June 29th

What is the fastest way to save a billion people and stimulate under-developed economies around the globe?
Bring them water.

Most of you know that I am competing in Ironman France in Nice, France on June 29, 2014. In addition to training for the race, I started this fundraising campaign with the goal to raise $10,000 for charity: water between now and June. I'm looking for anyone who can help me. The top donors of $500 or more will get their names/company logo printed on my race day jersey.

There are almost a BILLION people around the world that suffer from a lack of drinking water. Even more, 5,000 kids under the age of 5 die from water-related illnesses every day--that's 1 dead kid every 18 seconds.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are simple solutions like drilled wells, spring protections and BioSand filters that help provide clean water to communities around the world. These solutions are provided by charity: water.

FOR NUMBERS NERDS
The U.N. released a report last year that showed $1 invested in water/sanitation yields $8-12 in economic stimulation (sometimes as high as $22!).
Women now spend what used to be 8-12 hours per day walking for water on their kids, their jobs and their health. More time to work and attend school, improved health and a higher ability to work all contribute to immediate economic growth.

Here is what money can do for water projects:
$65 BioSand Filter brings water to a family of 6-8 people
$6,000 funds a hand-dug well that brings water to 150-300 people
$10,000 is enough to drill a well that can support a 500+ person village
$20,000 installs a well, water tower and irrigation for larger villages and supports 1,000+ people

100% of the money will be used to build clean water projects, and when they’re complete, charity: water will send us photos and GPS coordinates so we can see the exact community we helped.

I also wanted to thank @sacca for turning me on to charity: water with the commencement speech he delivered for the Carlson School of Management in 2010. Chris Sacca's mention in passing will prove to pique great interest in charity: water.