OGUNQUIT—
In 2007, the UNICEF Tap Project was born in New York City. Based upon a simple concept, the Project asked that restaurants ask their patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free, and all of the funds raised would support UNICEF's efforts to bring clean and accessible water to millions of children around the world.
Since its inception in 2007, the UNICEF Tap Project has raised nearly $3 million in the U.S. and has helped provide clean water for millions of children globally. Now in its sixth year, the award-winning UNICEF Tap Project—a nationwide campaign sponsored by the U.S. Fund for UNICEF—will return during World Water Week, March 19-25. The first program of its kind, the UNICEF Tap Project has become a dynamic movement that affords everyone the opportunity to help provide the world's children with safe, clean water.
Jonathan's restaurant in Ogunquit is the only participating restaurant in the state of Maine at this time.
Through numerous fundraising and volunteer activities, the UNICEF Tap Project celebrates the clean water we enjoy on a daily basis by encouraging celebrity, restaurant, volunteer, corporate and government supporters to give this vital resource to children in developing countries. The concept is basic and compelling, "When You Take Water, Give Water."
2012 UNICEF Tap Project Funds will specifically target Togo, Vietnam, Mauritania and Cameroon.
Every day 4,100 children die of water-related diseases. Nearly 900 million people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water. With just $1 raised through the UNICEF Tap Project can provide a child with safe water for 40 days. The simple act of washing a child's face with clean water can prevent debilitating diseases-like blinding trachoma, an infectious eye disease that spreads from child to child. The world's leading cause of preventable blindness, blinding trachoma is endemic in 57 countries, with 1.2 billion people living in trachoma-endemic areas, primarily in the poorest communities in the developing world-meaning millions of children without access to clean water are at risk of becoming blind from trachoma.
During the UNICEF Tap Project week from Thursday, March 22, through Sunday, March 25, you may donate $1 or more for the usually free tap water that you enjoy while dining at Jonathan's Restaurant. The donation will be added to your bill as a part of your check. All funds raised will support UNICEF's efforts to bring safe, clean and accessible water to the millions of children around the world who need it.
