Around the world, 780 million women, men, and children need access to safe water. This negatively impacts their health, keeps children from attending school, and traps millions of people in a cycle of poverty. This all changes when solutions to access safe water are implemented.

For the past 2 years, I have been running a fundraiser for my birthday. For those just tuning in to my life, I turn 22 on October 25. Bunches of people wish me a happy birthday on facebook. Along with a cheeky thank you reply, I donate 50 cents to water.org for each post. How simple is that?

Of course, I can't raise all the money myself. So many of you college hooligans have managed to sacrifice Chipotle money for a $10 donation, which is cool beans. I challenge you to consider being a repeat donor, or better yet, to donate a few more bucks.

Over the past 2 years, we've donated $537, giving 22 people access to safe water. This year, I challenge us as a community to help 12 more people get clean water. If you're slow on math, that's $300.

Just like last year, the campaign starts early. We have one month until I cross into the terrible twenty-twos. I'll be sharing statistics, photos, and videos on a bunch of social networks over the next month. Go on to virtually any social network (facebook, twitter, tumblr, instagram) and search #kmac4cleanwater to keep up with the fundraiser.

Most importantly, spread the word! I can't do all the donating myself, so share a photo or tweet out a fact about clean water. Tell your super cool friends to donate too. Awareness is part of the solution, so get filtering those instagrams and hashtagging those tweets for clean water!

It's always the best gift to spend the month leading up to my birthday seeing everyone get involved. It's even better to see all of the support, love, and donations pouring in on October 25. Let's make it bigger. You're all clearly rad people for picking me as a friend, so live it up. Most importantly, remember that this is not really about you or me donating, it's about the 22 people who have already received clean water and the 12 people who will receive it next.

Do what you can to help out, and stay awesome, herofriends.

FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/kmac4cleanwater
TWITTER:
www.twitter.com/kmac4cleanwater
INSTAGRAM:
www.instagram.com/kmacisrad
TUMBLR:
www.kmac4cleanwater.tumblr.com