The holidays - a time for family, comfort and love.

Joy to the world, right?

Here's the reality, though, of Christmas in our world: America spends around $500 billion a year on Christmas gifts. That's more than $600 a person. We also spend another $8 billion on decorating for Christmas.

Isn't there something wrong with this picture?

This Christmas, I'm taking a step back from that world. This Christmas, I want to give more than gifts that fit in boxes.

I want to give people life. I share healthy drinking water with people for a living, so when I found this cause, it made perfect sense.

More than a billion people are living without water on our planet. Some walk miles every day to get to the nearest source: a stagnant, parasite-infested stream or pond. They lug it back to their families. They suffer from diarrhea, worms and skin diseases because they can't wash themselves. 45,000 people die each day from waterborne illnesses.

My mission is to raise $1,000 by Christmas this year. 100% of every penny I raise will go directly to the water projects. And every project is "proved" using GPS technology and photos and put on Google Earth. Together, we'll be able to see the impact we've made.

One billion people, one cause. The least we can do is give one Christmas.

Please join me by donating.

Give the gift of life this year...no matter how little or how much you can give, it all makes a difference.

Blessings to you!

Jodi Ouellette