For Christmas this year my wife Lynn and I donated two PlayPumps in the names of our son and our daughter. Rather than buy them expensive gifts, we decided – and they agreed – that providing clean water to a village in Africa on an ongoing basis was a much better gift in the spirit of the holidays. I am proud of our children for having the spirit of giving at such a young age.
I believe this charity as being driven by Jean Case and the Case Foundation is really a perfectly run and inspired cause: Providing clean water to a village and providing a safe place for children to play with their mothers. In fact, the more they play the more clean water is found. And to have a sustainability model as big corporations sponsor the big water holding tanks just feels right and smart. Learn more about PlayPumps by clicking the link. Get involved.
It’s so cool that you’re kids are not becoming like those other rich people’s kids on tv. I’m glad you’re raising them right. We need more dads like you and less Lindsey Lohan’s dad.
Mr. Leonsis: Awesome charity. Thanks for all you do to raise awareness of topics like this and ways to help. I donated a small sum and am glad to have been able to have done so.
Since I was about 13, I’ve been involved with some sort of charity volunteering during the holidays. In fact, since I don’t have a family myself, I’ve made it a tradition to volunteer at a popular “soup kitchen” in Baltimore City over the holidays every year. Being involved in volunteering all of these years has probably been more beneficial to me than anyone else. I’ve learned to appreciate what I have, even in the worst of times, and my sense of “family” is broader than I could have imagined when I started volunteering. It still amazes me how doing something so small every year can make such a big difference to others. I advocate involvement as well and I hope 2008 brings more and more “little things” for the greater cause. Kudos to your kids and everyone who gave this year.
Happy and Healthy New Year. GO CAPS!
I have been running a campaign in Albany NY for a year now to raise the $14,000 for a PlayPump in southern Africa. It is terrific that you could do so much yourself and your kids must be very special and generous to contribute their Christmas gifts as well. If your friends and readers would like to continue the example you have set they can contribute and help us out at http://www.firstgiving.com/albanyfriendsforplaypumps.
One candle–many candles. One droplet–many droplets. After watching the video, my son and I added our two cents to the cause. I think their website should offer PayPal as a payment method, too. Other than that, it is very informative and innovative.
After the video, we thought “What if we could get every doctor and lawyer in El Paso to give $60? Or even just $50? And every public school teacher? We could have enough to donate at =least= one pump!” There would be those who would want to offer these in Mexico, too.
The Internet is much faster than phone calls or office visits, but the Internet is easy to say “No” to, too; sometimes you need a salesperson who is charismatic and tenacious enough get the check.
Perhaps in summer, when we are both out of school, we could go about this quest.
In the meantime, thank you for what you did. You caused a ripple!
Good to know that Zach won’t be hanging out with the likes of Paris Hilton anytime soon.
Happy New Year.
That’s an amazingly clever and simple concept. Brilliant. I plan to kick in a little myself later today. How did you come across that site?