Spark good in your world

I had the privilege this evening of seeing Scott Harrison speak about his passion: giving. Scott is the founder of charity: water, a non-profit that is transforming the world, one well at a time. I was overwhelmed by the picture Scott painted of thirsty planet, and inspired by what he's doing to make a difference.

That said, I want to shamelessly plug for a couple of amazing organizations that are making the world more beautiful, more healthy and more whole.

1. charity: water



Water changes everything.

• 1 billion people in the world don't have access to clean water.
  
• 80% of the diseases in the world are caused by unclean water and poor sanitation.
  
• 4500 children die every single day from water-related diseases.

It only takes $5000 to build a well that will provide a community with clean water. 100% of donations to charity: water go directly to building wells.

The organization has provided 1 million people with clean water. Yes, that's a lot of people. But it's only a minuscule fraction of the people who still go thirsty and drink dangerous water every day.

People give up birthdays, climb mountains and eat rice and beans for a month to provide their fellow human beings with clean water.

Learn more at www.charitywater.org/

2. TOMS Shoes

One of my good friends used to come to our high school without shoes. Going barefoot was fun and fancy-free, and a little rebellious. Plus, she was just cool like that.

However, some people go barefoot because they can't afford shoes.

Many children are not able to attend school, simply because they lack shoes. Numerous painful injuries and potentially debilitating diseases result from going barefoot.

The idea behind TOMS is simple: one for one.

Buy a pair of the company's shoes, and a child somewhere in the world who needs shoes will get them. As of September, the company has given away one million pairs of shoes to children in need.

You're going to buy shoes anyway. Make it count. Give to someone who has no shoes.

Check out the One for One movement at toms.com

3. Sparks

The idea for Sparks ignited here in L.A. a couple of years ago, and Sparks is now a national and international movement of people adding initiative to their lives in order to enhance their lives and the lives of the people around them.

Sparks ask the question: "what's one risk I can take this week to make myself a better person or the world a better place?"

Sparks happen in many diverse environments, including with friends, at universities, in faith communities and in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors -- one cool example of Sparks in the non-profit world is currently going on at People Assisting the Homeless (PATH). People are empowered to proactively choose to live more meaningful lives.

Take initiative at sparkgood.com