Happy Holidays

Call me a Grinch, but prior to Thanksgiving I refuse to listen to holiday music, sip on coffee in a red Starbucks cup, or think about what presents I should get for family and friends. What was last year’s Black Friday is now Black Thursday. Who knows, soon enough holiday shopping may start as early as Halloween. Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays, but it seems like every year people start shopping earlier while at the same time losing sight of what this season is all about.

Early reports indicate that Americans spent $52.4 billion over the Thanksgiving four-day weekend and that each individual American will spend on average $700 this holiday season. Because Americans are showing the willingness to spend, I’ve decided to blog throughout December on various organizations that are worthy of your money and time. I think deep down we all know that the $20 we were planning on spending on an ugly Christmas sweater for cousin Jim, who we haven’t seen in four years, could be put to better use.

The first organization I would like to write about is one that I hold near and dear to my heart, Charity Water (a charity also previously highlighted on this blog). This non-profit was started five years ago by Scott Harrison who was a club promoter in New York City. Scott saw first hand how he and his friends wasted thousands of dollars on a weekly basis going out for drinks at night. He decided to ask his friends to give up one night of going out and instead pool their money together so that he could drill a well in Africa. Within a few days, Scott had enough money to drill a well that would provide clean water for thousands of people. Since this first well in 2006, Scott’s organization Charity Water has funded 4,282 water projects all over the world. This holiday season, Charity Water has come up with five ways you can help give clean water:

1) Start a holiday fundraising campaign

2) Donate to clean water projects

3) Give Charity Water presents that give back

4) Come to Charity Water end of the year ball

5) Pay it forward through their Water Forward movement

These 5 simple calls to action can make a significant impact in quality of life for countless families worldwide.

Organizations to Follow

Today I would like to highlight several organizations that were shared with me by a close friend and fellow young philanthropist. These organizations are using innovative strategies to make lasting changes for generations to come. They are not afraid to tackle the complex problems facing humanity and are taking responsibility for improving the status quo even beyond their own backyards.


Invisible Children
This southern california based organization was started by three young filmmakers, who on a journey to discover adventure discovered a much darker reality. Upon traveling through Uganda they witnessed the violent tragedy facing the people of the north. They created an eye-opening film which led to the development of the non-profit organization, Invisible Children. Their goal is to expose the cruel reality of life which faces the people of this war-torn region abroad and provide aide and solutions to end the violence. They specifically focus on child soldiers and night commuters. Since their journey began in 2003 they have made incredible strides in providing awareness and continue to grow and provide aide where it is needed most. To contribute to this cause please visit this website. You can also follow the cause on twitter @invisible.


Charity Water
This organization addresses one of the most essential and yet overlooked issues facing humanity: clean drinking water. Their website notes some pretty shocking statistics which will open your eyes to the reality of this issue. Some of these numbers are:
1 billion: Almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean drinking water. Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.
1 in 8: One in eight people on the planet drinks water that's likely to make them sick. The water crisis and poverty go hand-in-hand.
So how are they addressing this issue? 
Charity Water is creating clean water projects in 19 countries across the globe and, with proper funding, will continue to expand this growth until all people have access to clean drinking water. I encourage you to visit their website to learn more about the incredible changes they are making and how valuable clean water can be to solving other important issues such as gender equality and economic stability.
For more info, check out their blog here and get involved, or donate!


Carolina for Kibera
In one sentence, this organization defines their mission as: Carolina for Kibera exists to develop local leaders, catalyze positive change and alleviate poverty in the Kibera slum of Nairobi. Even more impressive than this plight, is the inspiring story of the organization's inception. Founded by three unlikely friends: Rye Barcott (North Carolina undergrad), Salim Mohamed (community organizer) and Tabatha Atieno Festo (widowed nurse and mother of three), the organization began with a gift of just $26 and has grown to assist over 30,000 people annually in one of the harshest slums worldwide. This organization provides funding for resources for community leaders of Kibera so that they have the power to change the face of their community. Please visit their website for a more complete story of how this organization's unique structure is changing lives.