Rachel Roy Starts a Charity for Her 36th Birthday

It-girl fashion designer Rachel Roy is turning 36, but she doesn't want presents. She wants clean water.

"Through my travels abroad I have seen first hand the extreme hardship and devastation caused by lack of clean water. I have watched little girls, much younger then my 10 year old daughter Ava, get up before the sun and walk for miles, alone and unsafe, to get clean water in one bucket for their families. My birthday wish is to give the gift of water to those who need it so very badly. In lieu of spending any money on a dinner or a party or presents, I am asking people to donate to my charity: water campaign and help make my birthday the best I have ever had — by helping to provide clean water — with your help we can give 750 people, 150 families and 3 communities clean water."

Voyeurs and fans can see who's donating (and how much) on the Rachel's Birthday site (where the above quotation came from). At the time of writing this, $8,750 of the $15,000 goal has been donated by folks including Melania Trump, Terry Lundgren (CEO of Macy's) and Tyra Banks. You have just over two months to join the list.

mycharity: water is a true innovator in raising money. Visit the Web site to see how you can get involved by donating your birthday or by other means. Alyssa Milano's story of hitting her sky-high goal as her birthday present exchange will surely light a fire under your tail. The best part of all: 12-18 months after you donate, you'll get to see actual pudding proof in the form of photos of the village your money went to help. What a great idea.

Check out the mycharity: water overview video below.

The story of charity: water - The 2009 September Campaign Trailer from charity: water on Vimeo.

Photo by Billy Farrell for PMc, courtesy of Attention USA