As Christmas draws near, I think about opening gifts on my parent's farm in northwest Iowa. Our farm had poor rural water, so we bought bottled water to drink instead of drinking hard, rusty water. I used to think we were so deprived.

Until I realized there are 660 million people around the world who don't even have water! Woe is me, right?

Hardly. What I thought was terrible is a dream for many others. It's something we take for granted so often: putting a glass of clean, clear water to our mouths without a second thought.

Yet it doesn't have to be this way. We can change the world for many people by giving them access to safe water, and allow them to define their own future.

So in the spirit of giving, I ask not for a gift for myself but for the gift of water to someone in need.

Recently, my parents installed a new well on their farm. Now my family can drink water straight from the tap.

Imagine if others could do that, and they wouldn't have to think twice about whether their water is safe or carries some disease.

So would you help me raise $299 to provide safe water for 11 people? I chose that number because there are 11 people in my immediate family, counting spouses and children.

Could you help another family and their spouses and children so that they can have safe water, maybe even a Merry Christmas?

For every $25 that you contribute to my fundraiser before November 30th, Water.org will receive an additional $25, and can give two people access to safe water. 

Water.org has been helping people develop sustainable solutions for more than 20 years. Together, we can change lives with safe water.

Thank you, and warmest wishes. Ted