Coinciding with what would have been Bob Marley’s 66th birthday on February 6, 2011, 1Love.org has launched a campaign to create a virtual stream of water to stretch around the world to benefit charity: water.  “1 Drop of Water for 1Love” is a special 1Love.org Marley Mission project that will encourage people worldwide to virtually contribute a single drop of water and post a message in support of clean water for those in need.  Join the movement and take action at http://www.1Love.org/1drop.

Participants in the “1 Drop of Water for 1Love” mission join the 1Love.org community and commit to add their personal, geo-located virtual drop of water to the campaign. For each drop of water committed, 1Love.org and its sponsors — The House of Marley personal audio products, Marley’s Mellow Mood 100% natural relaxation teas and sodas, and Marley Coffee — will donate $1 to charity: water with a goal to raise $19,450 — Bob Marley was born in 1945 — which would provide clean, safe water to approximately 1,000 people.  Once a virtual water drop is created, the drop and birthday wish can be shared directly on the 1Love.org members’ personal Facebook page, Twitter and other social media channels.  Visitors can return to 1Love.org and view their “droplet” as part of the larger stream on a global map, as other water drops are committed from around the world.  In addition, participants will be encouraged to personally give money to the cause via the 1Love.org Giving Center or the mycharity: water page for the campaign.  Learn more at http://www.1love.org/1drop or visit the 1Love.org Facebook page.

“Water changes everything. The work of charity: water, in providing access to clean and safe water, can transform a community.  It helps decrease the spread of water-borne diseases, offers women a chance to earn an income and provides children a chance to get an education,” said Cedella Marley, Bob’s daughter, on behalf of the Marley Family.  “Water projects bring people together and offer improved health, a better quality of life and hope for a better future.  This special Marley Mission is why we created 1Love.org and we encourage all those who share our family’s ideals to join the 1Love.org movement and support charity: water.”

Right now, almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean and safe drinking water.  That’s one in eight of us.  charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. In four years, charity: water has funded more than 3,811 water projects in 17 different countries, serving over 1.7 million people.  Just $20 can give one person clean water.  To learn more, visit charitywater.org.

1Love.org supports charity: water and encourages action in this special Marley Mission because:

80% of diseases are caused by unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation.  This kills more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.

 42,000 people will die this week from diseases related to unsafe drinking water. 90% of them will be children under the age of five.

40 billion hours are spent every year in Africa just walking for water.  Women and children usually bear the burden of water collection, walking miles to get water that is likely to make them sick.

“The work of charity: water is changing lives in regions of the world that are close to the hearts and minds of the entire Marley family and 1Love.org is eager to play a role in encouraging action and stimulating change for a better planet,” said Donna Mastropasqua, executive director, 1Love.org.  “Taking part in our ‘1Drop of Water for 1Love’ mission will require very little time, yet the results will last for generations to come.  It is a powerful way to honor the memory of Bob Marley on his birthday and help his family carry his message forward.”