NICE Campaign: Happy birthday to Aidan!

I wanted to get this post out earlier today, but I was so swamped at work, so it's a little late in the day. But I have to tell you guys, today, February 2, is the 8th birthday of Aidan Ortiz.

Aidan's mom, Jennifer, wrote to me a little while ago, to share Aidan's birthday wish. Here's what she wrote:
About a month ago, 20/20 aired a special called Be the Change: Save a Life. My son Aidan sat down to watch it and was especially taken aback by the number of children that died before the age of 5 because of a lack of clean water. He was impressed with Charity:Water's work, but didn't mention it again until Tuesday night. At the dinner table, he asked me if he could donate his birthday this year. So this year, instead of presents, his goal is to raise $800 for Charity:Water. He is asking all the kids in his class and going door to door on his bike this weekend, but I thought I'd help him out by sharing his story with you.

Well, it turns out Aidan blew right past his goal, so he's now aiming to raise $5000 for Charity: Water. He's currently raised $2078. How amazing is that?! I'm sure most 8 year olds want video games or action figures for their birthday. Aidan wants children to have clean drinking water.

From Aidan's Charity:Water campaign page:
Water is more important than toys I will get on my birthday. There are kids who do not even get to turn 5 years old because they have dirty water. This makes me sad.

So, I don't want presents this year or a big party.

Instead, I am asking everyone to give $8 because I am turning 8 years old. Please help my birthday wish come true and help an entire community get clean water.

Click here to make a donation!

There are 61 days left in Aidan's fundraising campaign, and if you'd like to support an incredibly generous young man, please consider making a donation. $8 for his 8th birthday! I think it's moving to see someone so young with such a philanthropic spirit, so I hope we can show him that goals can be reached and change can happen. And imagine what he might do when he gets older! :)

Thanks for being such an inspiration, Aidan! And have a spectacular birthday!!!