Will and Jada Smith Team Up With charity: water to Provide Clean Water to People in Developing Nations

NEW YORK, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- charity: water and Will and Jada Smith are joining forces to help make an impact on the water crisis. The Smiths announced today that they are celebrating their September birthdays by asking their fans to make donations to help build water projects in developing nations. See the Smiths' personal video at: www.charitywater.org/willandjada

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In a once in a lifetime opportunity, Will and Jada Smith are hosting a contest where the top three fundraisers to start their own birthday campaigns will join the Smith family on a trip to visit the completed water projects in Africa.

Will and Jada Smith said:

"We view contribution and service as a celebration of one's gifts.  We celebrate the grace that has been bestowed upon us as we honor our gifts though sharing them.  There are men, women and children who, right now, do not have clean water to drink -- we celebrate the fact that we are able to help quench their thirst. 

"We believe every person on the planet should have access to clean drinking water.

"This year we celebrate our birthday by giving the gift of clean drinking water through charity: water.  Join us.  100% of the money raised goes to digging wells and to clean water projects in developing nations. 100% of our gifts will change the world, one person at a time.  And make your next birthday a celebration of your gifts by raising money for clean drinking water too.  We'll take the top three fundraisers with us to Africa to see the wells when they're built."

Jada Smith is celebrating her 39th birthday on September 18th and Will Smith is celebrating his 42nd birthday on September 25th. 100 percent of funds raised from the Smiths' birthday campaign will go directly to water projects.

Scott Harrison, founder of charity: water said, "charity: water is extremely honored to have the support of Will and Jada Smith. Their enthusiasm for the cause is inspirational and we're excited to work together to help make a real dent in the water crisis. Our goal is to motivate others to join the birthday movement. Together, we can bring clean and safe drinking water to those in need."

Four years ago, charity: water was born in September with a birthday party. Since then, thousands of people from around the world are celebrating their birthdays using the online platform, mycharitywater.org to raise money to make an impact on the water crisis.

About charity: water

charity: water (www.charitywater.org) is a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100 percent of the money raised goes directly to project costs, funding sustainable clean water solutions in areas of greatest need. Just $20 can give one person in a developing nation clean water for 20 years. In four years, with the help of more than 100,000 donors worldwide, charity: water has funded more than 2,900 water projects in 17 countries. Those projects will provide over 1,277,000 people with clean, safe drinking water.

Why water?

Almost a billion people don't have access to clean, safe drinking water. Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80 percent of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, and women and children bear the burden of water collection.

SOURCE charity: water