I never considered myself as one to want or have a big hoopla for my birthday. It's weird to be the center of attention like that. But in 2009, a good friend reminded me that life is something to be celebrated and birthdays, in turn, should be too. So that's when the whole "Celebrate Life" thing started. In the last couple of years, I've made it a point to celebrate the wonderful life God has given me with the people that make it so.

Obviously, Celebrate Life 2011 is a doozy because of the date - 11.11.11. I wanted to do something really special this year. Ideas came and went and as the day gets closer, the excitement's starting to fade. But I still want to do something extra special.

And here it is. I am asking you to donate just $11 to charity: water (contrary to the $27 the website says, because of my age). If 101 people do this, my goal of $1,111 is reached. Easy peasy. Of course, you can donate any amount you are able to! :D

All of it is going to build freshwater projects for people in developing countries. Almost a billion people in the world are living without clean water -- but how much are they really living? Millions contract deadly diseases from contaminated water. 30,000 people will die this week alone. The lucky ones won't, but still have to walk hours each day to get dirty water for their families. To give clean and safe drinking water to some of the billion people living without it - Celebrate Life 2011 can't get any more special than that.

100% of all donations go directly toward water projects. And about 18 months after this campaign ends, charity: water will show us where and how every dollar we raised ended up helping in the field. We'll see GPS coordinates, photos and more details about the communities we've impacted.

I hope y'alls can join me in celebrating the lives of others who need our help. Thanks a bunch, friends and fam for your generosity!

<3<3<3,
Toni