I have much to be thankful for. I have a loving family, a great set of friends, an exciting job, and I am doing well in school. I have never been worried about where I will find my next meal, where I’ll sleep at night, or if I’ll be able to buy necessities.

I’m thankful that I have a roof over my head. I’m thankful I have an employable set of skills. I’m thankful that I live in a society of relative stability. I’m thankful that I can walk a few feet to a tap that will supply me with a limitless supply of clean drinking water.

Christmas is approaching, and I ask that in lieu of presents you make a donation to a charity for me. I don’t need more things. I have a large stack of books that I’ve yet to read. I have enough games to last a lifetime. My room is constantly in disarray because I have so much stuff. More stuff won’t make me a happier person.

What will make me a happier person is making the world a better place. I have spent a good amount of time researching where I can have the most impact on the world, and I believe the answer is water.

A lack of safe water is a major killer. More people die every year from diseases caused by unsafe water than from all forms of violence. Further, this lack of easy access to clean water harms the overall society by hampering education. Children in developing nations are often given the responsibility of water collection, requiring them to walk miles daily to collect and lug back dirty water; freeing them from this obligation allows them time to get an education.

So please, instead of giving me presents help me give the gift of clean, safe water to those who need it. I have set up this campaign on charity:water and am aiming to raise $1500 by the end of the year.

I believe it is very important to research charities before giving to them, as there are many charlatans that pose as charitable organizations to exploit peoples good will and swindle them out of their money. That’s another reason why I like charity:water so much. One hundred percent of what is donated on this drive will be used to supply water to those without. Feel free to check their ratings on Charity Navigator or go though charity: water’s finances.