Wishing to positively impact the lives of the 2.2 million Americans who live without safe water and basic indoor plumbing, the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH) has set a #GivingTuesday (Nov. 28) goal of raising USD $10,000 in 24 hours to fund plumbing upgrades and repairs for those most in need across the United States.

Initiated in 2012, #GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement "unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world," according to its founders.

IWSH's mission is to increase access to clean, running water from safe plumbing fittings and fixtures — allowing for daily bathing, proper sanitation, and improved overall health. Upgrading and repairing toilets, faucets, and showers, can revolutionize the way that people live and in turn, improve health, hygiene, water efficiency, and overall quality of life.

Families in Alabama keep their kids inside to avoid playing near exposed sewer drains covered in puddles of waste flowing directly from homes that don't have adequate sanitation. And many Navajo Nation residents don't have reliable access to clean water or decent kitchen or bathroom faucets where they wash their hands — increasing the risk of germs and disease.

"At a minimum, households need an indoor flush toilet, a bathroom sink to wash their hands, a kitchen faucet to get a clean glass of water, a way to bathe themselves and a way to keep their living space clean," said Robyn Fischer, IWSH senior director, North America. "Our goal is to properly install or repair the plumbing fixtures that deliver the clean water and safe sanitation every family deserves."

Donations to IWSH support its mission to use skilled professionals to provide plumbing repairs and upgrades for underserved communities. Water and sanitation systems are complex. They involve water supply, drainage, gas lines, and a variety of fittings and fixtures. Skilled and qualified plumbers have the know-how to navigate these complex systems, diagnose issues and ensure that all components work together the right way.

IWSH is doing incredible work for underserved communities in North America and around the globe, supported by the generosity of donors. Contributions of all levels, from $5 to $1,000, are tax-deductible and will be allocated to the greatest need. Some suggested amounts to fund various projects in 2024 include the following:

• Handwashing: $75 toward a bathroom faucet repaired or installed
• Indoor Flush Toilet: $100 toward toilets being repaired or installed
• Personal Hygiene: $150 toward a bath/shower repair or installation
• Drinking Water: $250 toward a kitchen sink and faucet repaired or installed

IWSH's #GivingTuesday fundraiser can be accessed at iwsh.org/iwsh-giving-tuesday.