All of my birthdays have always been about stuff. Stuff I don't want, stuff I definitely don't need. (My roommate and my closet can attest to this.) And to be honest, I hardly even remember what I got last year.

So this year, I'm giving my birthday up.

On October 31st, I'm turning 21 years old, and instead of asking for gifts, or throwing a grand party, OR attempting to take 21 shots, I'm asking for $21 or more from everyone I know. It's not going to me, though. All of it is going to build freshwater wells for people in developing nations. My goal is $2100 in 3 months! C'mon guys, $21 from 100 people...TOTALLY doable. Think about how much 1 shot or 1 drink is in NYC (or in LA). Instead of buying me a drink for my 21st, donate so that somebody can have CLEAN water! $20 can provide one person with clean drinking water for 20 years...AMAZING!! And that cocktail last Friday night was...how much again?

Imagine waking up with an awful headache and a queasy stomach, ready to stumble into the bathroom because your liver is still working on that ethanol from last night. A nice cold glass of water is probably what you'd go for, right? (I mean, so I've heard........... :] hehe)

Well, as parched and dehydrated as you are, CAN you imagine drinking water that's brownish and murky and DEFINITELY has bacteria + parasites in it?

A billion people in the world are living without clean water - but how much are they really living? Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water. 45,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still walk hours each day to get dirty water to give to their families.

My birthday wish this year is not for more gifts I don't need; it's to give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion living without it. I want to make my birthday REALLY matter this year. I've forgotten how to be thankful for the small things, the everyday things like clean running water for showers, dishes, laundry...DRINKING!

Please join me and LET'S make a difference!

please note: Because of charity: water's unique model, 100% of all donations go directly to direct water projects costs, and each donation is "proved" and tracked to the village it helped when projects are complete.

&&& Scott Harrison, the Founder of charity:water, graduated from NYU in '98 woot woot! :D

Many Thanks and Much LOVE!

-Erica Suk