Giving Back: Liz and Ryan + Thirst Relief International
Giving Back, Gratitude //
Water is one of the most basic needs that we all share. It is likely that each and everyday we wake up and take for granted that we will have clean water to shower in, to brush our teeth with, and to drink. But, what if we didn’t have clean water? What if the water we drank to quench our thirst just made us sick? For many, that is the reality of each day…
Since a very young age, both Liz and I have had a strong passion to give back to and to make an impact on the lives of others. We have been so fortunate and blessed to have the opportunities we have had in life and we believe everyone should have the same opportunities as us. So, when we attended our first WPPI conference three years ago, one of the things we were the most excited to see was a talk on photography and philanthropy. Photographer Jim Davis Hicks and a small group were speaking about a recent trip to Tanzania. It just so happens that Jim was also the founder of Thirst Relief International. While in Tanzania, Jim and the group helped install Bio Sand Filters that would provide clean drinking water for a lifetime. Jim spoke further about Thirst Relief International and their mission and instantly we were hooked. With just $5 we could save a life and provide clean drinking water for a lifetime to someone in need.
This past year as we began thinking about our new brand and website, Liz and I talked a lot about what we could do to give back. How could we run our business with authentic gratitude and passionate hearts to give back and make a difference in the lives of others? It was as simple as “$5 saves a life.” So, to go along with this week’s Amazing Life Manifesto theme of “Pay It Forward”, we are excited to announce that with each new amazing wedding couple we book we will be paying it forward and 10% of their photography collection costs will be donated to Thirst Relief International.
We have setup a fundraiser on the Thirst Relief International website titled “The Liz and Ryan Mission” fundraiser. You may view the fundraiser here and we would love it if you donated to Thirst Relief. Take a moment to think about it, $5 can save a life. What can you do today to save $5 and to save a life? This afternoon we will share where the first $10.00 donation in our fundraiser came from.
Images used in this post are courtesy of Thirst Relief International, www.thirstrelief.org