When Jon Jay was asked by Mrs. Gilbert, in 3rd grade, to research a need in the world that he wanted to learn more about he was instantly captivated by the world’s global water crisis. The reality that children were thirsty, drinking dirty water and dying from this crisis daily shook him to his core. He knew immediately he wanted to help. The Giving Project guided Jon Jay through the steps of identifying a cause, investigating and selecting a charity, and executing a fundraiser. During the investigative phase Jon Jay chose to partner with Water4 in Oklahoma. He appreciated their mission to bring water to Africa by teaching the locals to install and maintain the wells and to educate the community on safe sanitation and hygiene habits to prevent waterborne disease transmission.
Jon Jay chose to plan big and raise enough money to pay for one well to be installed in Kenya. He needed to raise $2250.00 to accomplish this task. Using his mom’s Facebook network and YouTube Jon Jay created video content that shared his mission and his passion as he educated viewers on the water crisis and his goal to bring clean water to a remote region in Africa. Crowdfunding was effective and he reached the goal he had set out for himself! Over the years Jon Jay has continued to support Water4 and has raised over $3500 to bring clean water resources to remote regions in Africa.
“I want to do more,” Jon Jay said. “Knowing that 500+ people were gifted access to clean water because I motivated people to partner with me financially is exciting. I hope all kids have the opportunity to find a mission that means something to them at a young age. I was just 9 years old when Mrs. Gilbert empowered me to get involved and have an impact and I am so lucky to have been her student.”
