This year I'm celebrating my birthday differently. I don't want presents or drinks. I want clean water.

Last summer I met the CEO of charity: water...his story and passion brought me to tears (literally). But he also inspired me to finally do something...help others.

Sure I've done volunteer work in the past (but usually because I had to or was asked by friends to help out). This time...I decided to take action and start my own campaign through charity water's Birthday Campaigns.

Women and children around the world walk hours every day to collect water for their families. And the worst part? The water they collect can make them really sick. Well, we can actually do something about it. Just $20 can give a person clean water to drink.

The best part is that 100% of the money we raise will directly fund water projects around the world, and when those projects are complete, charity: water will send us photos and GPS coordinates so we can see the impact we made. I can't think of a better birthday gift.

My goal is to raise $1000 to help provide clean water to 10 families. A $5, $10, or $20 donation would be great! Even better... $39 (because that's how old I'll be and how many years I've been fortunate to have clean drinking water).

Please donate to my campaign, and make this the best birthday ever!

If you are a Simple Life Together listener or Get Simplifized fan...thanks for visiting! I'm counting on ya! (wink ;o)

-Vanessa