When You Take Water, Give Water and Support the UNICEF Tap Project During World Water Week, March 19-25

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Feb 06, 2012, 12:43 ET

Award-winning illustrator Tavis Coburn, acclaimed international commercial director Brent Harris, and Giorgio Armani Fragrances team up to help UNICEF provide safe, clean water to children around the world

NEW YORK, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Now in its sixth year, the award-winning UNICEF Tap Project once again offers thousands of volunteers, restaurants, partners and individuals across the nation the opportunity to help provide the world's children with safe, clean water. During World Water Week, March 19-25, dining patrons can pay $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free at participating restaurants. With $1, UNICEF can provide a child with access to clean, safe water for 40 days, or 40 children with access to safe water for one day.

Waterborne illnesses are the second leading cause of preventable childhood deaths in the world — killing almost 4,000 children every day. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF aims to draw attention to this crisis and encourage the public to take action to save children's lives.

"Many of us consume and use safe, clean water every day without thinking twice. Meanwhile, in communities across the globe, disease can spread with lethal swiftness for the millions of children and adults who lack access to a safe water source and adequate sanitation," said President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Caryl Stern. "Today, for too many of the world's children, clean water can mean the difference between life and death."

For a third year, Giorgio Armani Fragrances is returning as national sponsor of the UNICEF Tap Project through Acqua for Life, its campaign to raise awareness and funds to help UNICEF improve access to safe, clean water for children worldwide. From March 1-31, Giorgio Armani Fragrances will donate $1 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF for each Acqua di Gio for Men and Acqua di Gioia for Women spray cologne or gift set purchased in the United States, and $1 for the first 100,000 people who "like" the Acqua for Life page on Facebook. New this year, for each 10 ml Acqua di Gioia Rollerball eau de parfum purchased in the United States, the company will donate 100 percent of the retail sales price -- up to $15 per item -- to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF from March 1-31 at retailers nationwide.

Since 2007, more than 10,000 UNICEF Tap Project volunteers have provided their time and creative solutions to build awareness and drive donations for UNICEF's water and sanitation programs in Belize, the Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Guatemala, Haiti, Iraq, Togo, and Viet Nam. Funds raised through this year's campaign will provide children and families with clean drinking water in Viet Nam, Togo, Mauritania and Cameroon. Nearly $3 million has been raised to date through the UNICEF Tap Project. Once again The UNICEF Tap Project will work with promotional supporters ZAGAT.com, OpenTable.com, Seamless.com and Yelp.com.

All print advertisements in support of The UNICEF Tap Project features the work of internationally-recognized illustrator Tavis Coburn. Coburn has created countless works for leading publishing, advertising and entertainment companies in North America and Europe. In addition, a new public service announcement is slated to run both on television and online and is directed by the acclaimed international commercial director Brent Harris. Harris has shot for some of the world's leading brands and his work has garnered many of the industry's highest awards. The PSA work was supported by Egg Films of Cape Town, South Africa and Skunk of Los Angeles, Calif.

UNICEF works in more than 100 countries around the world to improve access to safe water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities, and to promote safe hygiene practices. Since 1990, more than 2 billion people have gained access to improved drinking water sources and 1.8 billion people have gained access to improved sanitation facilities. UNICEF has made a major contribution to this figure through their work with Governments and partners around the world.

Supporters can learn more about UNICEF Tap Project by visiting www.uniceftapproject.org.

About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in more than 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health and immunizations, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency and disaster relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress: the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from more than 12 million in 1990 to 7.6 million in 2010. But still, 21,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF