Family and Friends-
I was thinking about my birthday, and everything that typically comes with it (unless you are a Dave Ramsey disciple, haha).
A few years ago, in his wisdom and compassion, Jackson gave me this idea to contribute to this cause- http://www.charitywater.org/
I realized I/we have a chance to do something meaningful.
I found it was also a way to fulfill my childhood dream of being a philanthropist.
But, alas, it is on a much smaller scale than I wanted as a small child, but still with a major impact to people’s lives that really need help.
Nonetheless, I have been contributing ever since Jackson planted the seed, and now you can give me something I really want for my birthday.

Please read on and see where I’m going with this.

1) There are a billion people living without clean water. I/we have all we want. Our Families and children enjoy clean water. And I like long showers.
2) Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren't strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses.
3) 90% of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions are to children under five years old.
4) Clean water isn’t just needed for drinking. It’s mandatory for medical use.
5) Since 2007, this organization has been able to help more than a million people in 17 countries.
6) BBB (http://www.bbb.org/us/bbb-standards-for-trust/) is an organization that monitors charity organizations for ethical, financial, and other practices.
a. Charitywater.org meets the 20 Standards
for Charity Accountability
b. 100% of the money raised goes directly to
build clean water projects.
i. Percentage of fund use breakdown:
1.Programs: 71%
2.Fund Raising: 15%
3.Administrative: 14%
7) Just $20 can give one person clean water for 20 years.

So in lieu of any cards or gifts you may have been planning to give me, I’m suggesting you take the $$ you would have spent on cards and/or gifts, and please consider donating it to my Charitywater campaign.

Blessings,
Jon