My birthday is right around the corner. This year as I'm about to turn 40 I've been reflecting on all the incredible blessings I have in my life. Along with a loving family and wonderful friends, I've also regained my health after a life threatening infection 3 years ago which inspired me to lose weight, get healthy, and participate in a variety of exercise. Something that has been a big part of that journey is water. You cannot have good health without water. Just being able to have a refreshing glass of water with a meal, or after a tough workout, or simply because I'm thirsty is a luxury most people don't think much about. My house is almost always full of water bottles (mostly reusable!) & of course, numerous faucets in my home from which we can easily get clean water. My 3 children never go thirsty. My dog never goes thirsty. As a matter of fact, in my almost 40 years of life I don't think I've ever gone without the ability to get a drink of clean water. And certainly, none of us ever drink dirty water.

In the last few years I've heard some compelling first hand accounts from friends that have had the opportunity to travel overseas to Haiti & parts of Africa. They shared with me the most heartbreaking stories of how difficult it is to not only obtain water but that much of the water is infected with bacteria. Did you know that almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean drinking water? Every day, 5,000 kids die from water-related illnesses before they reach their fifth birthday. 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. Not sure if or when I'll be able to travel overseas to help but there IS something big we can do from here.

I've titled my campaign Squeaky Wheel, in hopes that if I squeak loudly enough you will give me the "grease" or money that will help us TOGETHER raise enough money for a well to be built in a part of the world that has the greatest need at that time. A hand dug well costs $6,000 but I am aiming for $4,000 and simply hoping to surpass it. 100% of every dollar you donate to my birthday campaign will be used to build clean water projects in developing countries. Charity: water funds their operating costs separately through a group of private donors, so 100% of all public donations will go directly to people in need.

So this year, please don't send me a gift, or a musical card (I know those things cost at least $5!), or even a Starbucks gift card. Instead please give any amount you choose to my charity:water campaign and together we can give the gift of life-giving water to deserving, thirsty people in another part of the world. Within 18 months of this money being raised we will all have details on where the well was built as well as GPS tracking information so we can followup on its progress. Every person that donates will be notified by charity: water. You can see hundreds of completed projects on their website.

Finally, it doesn't just have to be me that's squeaky. Get on board with me and please tell your family & friends. Tell strangers! It's going to be an awesome thing to accomplish this together. I have faith that we can do it!! Thank you for reading this & please watch the video below.

Remember: Water changes everything!
Squeak, squeak.
Stacy xo