Local Charity Making a Global Difference!

1 Billion Thirsty, a Del Mar based non-profit, is a grass roots movement devoted to making their name obsolete by raising awareness and funds to support clean water organizations working in developing countries.

There are currently almost 1 billion people around the world who are living without access to clean and safe drinking water, and an additional 2 billion people living without access to basic sanitation.  Every day water related diseases claim the lives of approximately 5,000 children, or roughly one child every 15 seconds.  This shouldn’t be!  1 Billion Thirsty believes that by working together we can all help impoverished communities around the world tap into safe, clean drinking water and gain access to basic sanitation.

Each year, 1 Billion Thirsty hosts a fundraising event called Water for Christmas.  The idea for the event came out of a staggering statistic that moved the founder to action.  Kari Lorenzen explains that “each year US consumers spend approximately $500 billion on Christmas season gifts, and yet the cost to completely solve the world’s water crisis annually is about $50 billion – or just 10% of the amount American’s spend on Christmas”.  This is why each year 1 Billion Thirsty encourages people to “trade consumerism for compassion” by giving just a portion of what is intended for gifts towards water projects.

This year’s event Water for Christmas event will be held December 5, 2012 at Woody’s in Solana Beach.  The evening will include a dinner, silent auction, live music and special guest speaker, Stan Patyrak from Living Water International. 100% of the proceeds from the evening, including the ticket purchase price, will go directly to support clean water projects in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Tickets for the event are $75.00 and can be purchased online at www.onebillionthirsty.org/water-for-christmas/.

For more information regarding 1 Billion Thirsty and Water for Christmas, please visit www.onebillionthirsty.org.

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 Jim and his wife Jo, have lived in Carmel Valley since 1987 and first got into the real estate business in 1992 after a successful career in the construction industry in South Africa.  Kevin Dalzell joined the Dalzell Group Real Estate team in 2002 after playing professional rugby  in Europe (represented the U.S. in two Rugby World Cups) and is now living with his wife, Nina, in Solana Beach.  Ryan Dalzell coordinates the team’s marketing program, and he joined the group in 2004 after working as a flight instructor.  Ryan lives in Carmel Valley with his wife Julie and their 3 children.  Amber Worsham recently joined the team as the new Marketing Manager & Transaction Coordinator.  With over five years of experience in marketing real estate in Coastal North County, Amber provides us with extensive expertise in the print, internet and direct marketing aspects of the business.