UNICEF's Tap Project highlights World Water Week

UNICEF recently held its annual fundraising campaign, the Tap Project, a grassroots initiative to provide clean water to children around the world that asks individuals to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free at participating restaurants. The Tap Project took place this year during World Water Week, March 22 – 28, 2009 with more than 1,500 restaurants participating nationwide.

This year’s Tap Project kicked off with two Water Walks taking place in New York City and Chicago. Each consisted of a one-mile walk in which children and families carried one gallon of water in a gesture of solidarity with those who must collect and carry water on a daily basis. The Walks brought the communities together to kick off an amazing week of philanthropy.

Now in its third year, the Tap Project expanded in 2009 with additional efforts in Canada and Puerto Rico. UNICEF Ambassador Joel Madden, lead vocalist of the band “Good Charlotte,” served as campaign spokesperson, following his field visits to the Central African Republic in October and November of 2008. Additionally, celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson and Tom Colicchio continued their support of the campaign as additional spokespeople.

The Tap Project is such a simple way to reach people by asking them to donate during their meal at a restaurant. The donation doesn’t necessarily have to be a large monetary amount as UNICEF stresses that just $1 can supply a child with safe drinking water for 40 days! Our nation has been so focused on our current economic issues that we sometimes forget that there are individuals around the world who aren’t able to access the things we take for granted, like the most basic need of clean drinking water.

We are thrilled to have supported Tap since its inception and look forward to many more years working on the campaign and with UNICEF to further its goal to reduce the number of needless child deaths to zero. 

Posted by Liz Castoro, Assistant Account Executive