My birthday is almost here. I'm not usually excited about getting older, but this year I'm really thankful to have lived another happy, healthy year. My father always taught me its better to give than receive. I recently learned that millions of kids around the world don't live to see their fifth birthday because they don't have access to clean, safe drinking water. We take for granted things like drinking water when millions are still without it.

I'm asking for my age in dollars from everyone I know. Every penny of the money raised will directly fund clean water projects in developing countries. Even better, charity: water will show us exactly which projects we funded once they've been fully completed (which takes about 18 months). That means we'll know the locations and names of the communities we helped.

Help me reach my goal. Please donate to my birthday campaign!