Did you know that every 15 seconds, a child dies because of the lack of clean drinking water? Yet, with only one dollar, just one dollar, you can provide a child with clean drinking water for 40 days. Now if there’s ever a dollar “value” menu item…that’s it!
In 2007, UNICEF, along with advertising agency Droga5 launched the TAP Project, an effort to bring clean drinking water to children all over the world. The concept was so simple: pay one dollar for something that you would normally get for free, a glass of tap water.
This simple idea was wildly successful and is now being launched nationwide. During world water week, March 22-29, participating restaurants around the nation will ask their patrons to donate one dollar for the glass of tap water they are served.
I am part of the advertising agency of record for the TAP Project in Utah. In individual cities, local agencies are being asked to implement the TAP Project with local insights and local feelings. It has been such a fun project to work on, and I’m getting so excited for World Water Week. Here’s a little look at what UTAH TAP looks like:
I won’t take credit for the art work, it was done by various artists in Utah and art directors in the BYU Ad Lab. The TV spots are beautiful, I’m having problems uploading them at the moment, but they can all be viewed at www.blog.morriscreate.com.
I’ve really looked at this project as a way to spread “aloha” to children all over the world. Isn’t “aloha” about spreading love to the people around you? Whether it be in the way you interact, the way you lend a hand, or simply helping someone to feel important, welcome and cherished…that’s what “aloha” means to me.
I feel so lucky to have been able to be a part of the TAP Project here in Utah. We’re hoping that our work will helps save hundreds if not thousands of lives of children around the world, and help them feel the “aloha” from all of us here.
The great thing about the TAP Project, is that everyone can be involved. Sometimes I feel that we leave humanitarian work to those who call themselves “humanitarians” because they have the time, the money, the resources and the connections to make a difference. We all have a dollar, so we all can make a difference.
Now it’s your turn. Log on to www.tapproject.org to find a participating restaurant near you, eat out, donate, and save a life.
Saving a life…what a great expression of “aloha”!
