Jill Foster

Thanks Leslie Bradshaw for making me aware of more statistics and media related to World Water Week via GOOD Magazine.

I’ve also gained a lot from volunteering with the TAP Project, a UNICEF effort also honoring World Water Week. For this week March 22nd-28th, folks - when enjoying dinner at participating TAP Project restaurants - can donate $1 for their glass of tap water usually enjoyed for free.

That $1 will get a child clean drinking water for 40 days.

You can find participating restaurants per zip code easily.

And a compelling video follows below that Leslie’s team helped produce for GOOD Magazine.
I like how this was cut for online viewing; it has momentum and informs well I thought on uncomfortable stats in an effective way (water chlorination is now something I’m more conscious of and grateful for):

More stats:

• Every year, nearly 2 million children die from a lack of clean drinking water and sanitation
• Over 443 million school days are missed due to water borne illnesses
• Drinking water issues are nearly eliminated in the U.S. thanks to chlorination (as of 1908, Jersey City!) — but worldwide, diseases like cholera and typhoid are still rampant.

It’s been a great few months with transition (new jobs!), social marketing (great stuff per below on getting clean water to kids!), and the onset of spring in DC. Whew!

Here’s some quick news of what’s going on lately; it’s been a pleasure working with Sibyl Edwards on this outreach project.

[Disclosure (fun one!) -Cross-posted per Women Grow Business where I'm having a blast as the blog's editor!]

Bringing Business Together (5 minute podcast):
UNICEF’s TAP Project & Local Business Get Clean Water to Kids

For the podcast: 5 minutes
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Digital Strategy Consultant Sibyl Edwards on UNICEF’s TAP Project, a huge effort to help get clean drinking water to children world wide. She has teamed up with GMMB & UNICEF and shared how businesses can get involved, how much a $1 donation can help, and more.

Or for the quick take down of our conversation
It was a thrill to watch the business, tech, and social cause communities intersect this week at an event where entrepreneurs, marketers, and tech enthusiasts came together to learn digital media.

It happened like this:
Sibyl recently shared her support for a UNICEF initiative - called the TAP Project - that’s related to World Water Week. What struck me is how businesses including local DC restaurants (and throughout the country) can get involved with ease.

All joining forces: small business, big business, UNICEF
Sibyl clarified the lack of clean drinking water is the second largest killer of children under five worldwide, causing 4,200 deaths from water-related diseases every day (I was unaware the stats were so high).

To help address this crisis, UNICEF launched the Tap Project.

During World Water Week (March 22-28, 2009) restaurants across the United States will encourage patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free. Every dollar raised provides a child with clean drinking water for 40 days.

Full disclosure and next steps
And when Sibyl shared those statistics I wanted to help (I’m working pro bono with her team and UNICEF to spread the word). I’m honored to collaborate with all these communities including the business sectors to help kids have access to the most basic necessity.

More on:

• An entrepreneur, clean drinking water, and children;
• How and when to donate $1 at your area restaurants participating in TAP;
• TAP Project’s mobile tech;
• How businesses can help;
• How people can volunteer.

(TAP logo and water graphic used with permission per Sibyl Edwards)