Most pop stars task their assistants with throwing lavish, star-studded parties for them on their birthdays.  Up-and-comer Greyson Chance, however, is taking a decidedly different route as he celebrates his 15th bday this week.  He's partnered with Charity:Water to raise $15,000 in an effort to build clean water projects in Rwanda.

Charity:Water is a non-profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations.  In its own words: "We're not offering grand solutions and billion dollar schemes, but instead, simple things that work. Things like freshwater wells, rainwater catchments and sand filters. For about $20 a person, we know how to help millions."

Knowing that 800 million people in the world are living without access to fresh water devoid of profound contamination, Charity:Water reaches out directly to individual communities to provide life-saving solutions.  In communities where women and children are forced to walk for several hours each day to collect water from the nearest source -- which is often unclean and unsafe -- those women and children are denied precious hours that could otherwise be spent on education and caregiving.  Despite their best efforts, the water they gather for themselves and their families often causes illness and even death.  

Charity:Water's mission is to stop the cycle, one simple donation at a time.  Its global envoy uses money collected through its website, its workers and events like Chance's birthday to provide relief to places where it's desperately needed.  

To watch Charity:Water's outstanding short video explaining the global water crisis and to make a donation, small or large, to Chance's campaign, click here.