Clean Water for Christmas | Video

Kristin Clouston | 12/13/2012

Most nine year olds want things like Legos, mp3 players and video games for Christmas. But a Bismarck boy doesn`t want any presents, he just wants to bring clean water to people in Rwanda and his classmates are helping make that wish come true.

Soda is usually never allowed in Mrs. Walter`s class at Sunrise Elementary, but she made a special exception.

"They could bring food, pop, pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, slippers and gum," said Ashton Anderson.

But there was a small catch.

"Every item they bring, they have to bring a quarter," Ashton said.

They call it "Reading for Charity" and it helped Bridger Anderson raise $240. This is the third year he`s asked for donations, instead of Christmas presents.

"Because people don`t get clean water and it isn`t fair they have to walk miles each day for dirty water that makes them sick and they miss school," he said.

So instead of exchanging gifts at school next week, Bridger`s classmates are giving a dollar to his project.

"The water goes to workers who build wells so they can get clean water from underground where the clean water is, so it`s just like a faucet at the end," Bridger said.

Bridger`s clean water campaign runs through December 31 and he hopes to raise $5,000. So far, Bridger has collected about $1,700. For more information on how to help him reach his goal, visit mycharitywater.org/cleanwaterforchristmas3.

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