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seven days left

We have seven days left to reach our goal of $10,000 to be donated to the Charity Water campaign.
If you don’t know what I am talking about, you can read this.
If you are entirely sick of hearing about this, just give me one more week.
In just one more week, you and me will have given them ………..

43861985photo copyright Becky Straw.

A few months ago, my entire family was moved by this video to join the cause and give up our birthdays in exchange for clean water.

We asked everyone we knew to donate what they would have spent on gifts for us, on our campaign instead. With the kindness and generosity of so many of you, we have raised just over $4600. I truly thank you, from the bottom of my heart. Seeing my friends names pop in, seeing complete strangers names, seeing those anonymous $1…every time a donation came in, my eyes would well up with tears. I was completely moved from head to toe. Thank you. THANK YOU.

Well, guess what?

In order to say thank you, and to reach our goal of $10,000, I am sweetening the pot. I am giving back. I  am  SO  EXCITED  ABOUT  THIS!

I am offering one complimentary photo shoot ALONG WITH the digital files from your session to one person who has donated.

That could be you! (Don’t you want it to be you?) I do!

Rules and Eligibility:

1. The shoot must take place in the Southern California area in March 2010. Any location, up to an hour away from Orange County is an option.*
*This means that even if you live out of state, if you can get your family here, you are eligible to win.

2. The shoot is for one family/couple/individual – no large family groups or events.

3. Proof of your donation to Charity: Water necessary

4. Donation of $10.00 or more

5. You can enter more than once, and you can also enter for other people!

So, whether you live here in SoCal or not, if you can get your family here in March 2010, and have donated at least $10, you are eligible to win.

To enter:

1. Make sure you can be in SoCal in March 2010 for the shoot.

2. Donate $10 or more here, preferably using the same name/email that you use to comment here.(If you have already donated, that counts too!)

3. Leave a comment on this blog post.

Winner will be drawn the first week of December.

If your name is drawn, I will contact you to obtain the proof of your donation, and once I have that you will be announced the winner!

Thank you so much – happy donating – and good luck!

xo

Tara

PS. SPREAD THE WORD!

by Tara Whitney

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Christine Pobke - i donated back when you first announced this amazing charity!!!! :) :) :) fingers crossed!!! and hope you guys reach your goal of 10k. :)

Lynne Slouka - I donated! What a wonderful thing for your family to do!!!

Gina - I donated tonight...always meant to, never got around to it...the sweetened pot finally got me to donate!

Danielle Bryan - Please let it be me!!....

Megan Sanders - Thanks for the reminder about such a great cause! I wish we could make it to CA this year but we cant, so you dont need to enter my name in the drawing. Someday we'll make it there and I can hire you to do my family movie!

j.ro - a session with you isn't the only reason i donated, but it did help me get on the ball with it! thanks for the opportunity! ~jayne

Danielle Bryan - Put one in for my kiddos!

karen - very generous of you to do this. a good excuse to come down to san diego and an even better excuse to do some good in the world.

Amber Baker - I just donated. Thank you for this opportunity to make a difference.

Kathy McCloy - I missed the original post about "Whitney Wells" but had noticed the banner at the bottom of each post recently. Great cause, and great giveaway!

Justyna Nielsen - How exciting! Both the project and the prize. What a great business philosophy you have, I hope it spreads.

annaliza - you're a hero tara whitney!! this is outstanding. i hope you exceed your goal abundantly! {hugs} to you and your sweet family.

Kim - Done! You know just how to bring in the donations! Who wouldn't want to support a great cause AND have the possibility of a shoot with you!

Laura Rauch - I donated!!! Great cause!

brad - Great way to get the word out!

Candace Sheets - I donated a few months ago :). I hope you reach your goal. I'm certain this will motivate people.

Kathie Ashmore - I donated too. Not only am I really impressed with your photos, I am also humbled by your families generousity.

Melissa - what a wonderful way to give! I donated this afternoon - good luck on the road to $10k!

leslie - i love people who do good things for others. who do invest in others. in a big way.

Amber - Hey Tara, what a fun idea! I donated a while back when you first posted, and would love to be in the running! Thanks :-) p.s. your images are awesome!

Kara - I'm in! and making arrangements in my head to get my 3 little ones on a plane to have you photograph my family... you're going to make some mommy very happy.

Carolyn Egerszegi - Eeeeeeeeeek! It would be a dream come true to win a photo session with you. In fact, I was just fantasizing about having a session with you this morning. Sigh. I've already donated to your Charity: Water campaign so I really pretty please with a cherry on top hope I win. Consider all my fingers and toes crossed!!!

Danielle - Just donated. I've been to some of these places in Africa and I know what a blessing this is for these people. Would love to also get in front of the camera for a change and document my family. Thanks for the opportunity!

mariola - pretty sure that we won't be able to e @ SoCal in March but I'm donating anyway :)

misty - I just donated. I have such a heart for Africa, and this is such a WORTHY cause. I'm excited to see you make your goal!

Gina Oh - I NEVER win anything, but this is a lovely cause, so I donated...

jenny m - my brother served a mission in africa.. what a great cause this is! thanks.. and i would absolutely die if my donation was picked. i seriously love your work. so inspiring. thanks again.

Marilee - OH PICK ME!! PICK ME!!!! :-) And guess what? I'll be there in March because guess what??? We're moving back! We sold our house and will be back (Valencia again), in January! Adam's getting transferred back! Anyway, wwheher I win or not (I hope I win :-), we need to get together when we get back! Good luck reaching your goal!

Kerith - Oh, I think you just made your goal!! Thank you for such a generous offer, and thank you for making such a huge difference in the lives of so many so far away. God Bless. Off to donate I go...

Angelic Jackson - What a great giveaway to inspire donations for a GREAT cause! You and your family are wonderful! Thank you for this opportunity!

yvonne j. - thanks for your generous offer. i donated back a couple of weeks ago. i myself cannot come to so.cal., but i would give the session to friends of mine. thank you!

stacymeyers - sweet....sweet....sweet! you know how awesome this is and how much i want a session in california!! love ya girl and i'm seriously hoping that i win!!!! it would make my year!!!

krysten - what a wonderful gift you and your family are giving through this charity. just donated - thanks for the reminder! wishing you the best in reaching your goal!

Candi - I have been meaning to donate since you first launched it. Such an awesome cause! I hope you reach your goal...how amazing would that be? !

sofie - oh pooh :o( would you like to come to barbados for that shoot?

Anne - Awesomeness. I donated in September and LOVE what you're doing for charity water. I would be a blubbering and excited, crazy fool if I were drawn for a photo shoot with you. I would PEE MY PANTS in excitement. Someone is going to be SO THRILLED. I live in TX, but would get to CA in March if I won. No doubt about it!

Peggy Sue Lansing - I think what you are doing with your family is awesome...we can make a difference!! :) I have been a lurker for years now and enjoy your photography so much but even more so, the words and feeling behind it. So happy to donate to help you reach your goal! :)

Shii - Great idea! I had been meaning to donate but hadn't done it yet. This reminded me:) Would love a shoot with you again!

Sarah Aranda - Tara, thank you so much for doing this. What a wonderful cause. I kept meaning to donate, of course when I saw this I couldn't procrastinate any longer! I was just telling my husband the other day- (we always day dream about what we would do if we won the lottery)... one of the first things I would do would be schedule a family session with you! I will walk to Cali if I have to :)

Mary Beth Renze - Thank you for doing this!

aris wells - i my sweet "idol" i hope i win this and get to fly to Cal. to meet you and get gorgeous images of me and my tribe. (i donated $20 back when you started collecting money for this cause) lots of hugs aris

Megan A. - Hope you reach your goal - I donated! I'm super local to you so I'd love the honor you shooting my family!! Best wishes! Megan from sc, ca

Megan A. - Ya know what . . . I'd donated before when you first started this(hence my first comment) but I made a 2nd donation today - hope you make your goal, Whitney Family!! :) Megan from sc, ca

falwyn (Samantha M.) - I donated to Cathy Z's charity water, but I just donated to yours as well. One way or another, I'd get my family to SoCal, that's for sure. :)

Britt - I donated and I think it's a great thing you're doing! Good luck reaching your goal! Crossing my fingers for a photoshoot with you! I'll be about 6 months pregnant and I'm praying for some unique maternity shots!

Kelly Mendoza - What a wonderful charity and awesome thoughtful incentive for you to offer. I donated and will let all my friends know!

Stacy Hackett - Thanks for the reminder, Tara! I really want this holiday to be one of giving, so I'm happy to help. Happy Thanksgiving!

terri - I haven't donated but I will by the end of the month...I would love to have my family photographed by you...I think I've told you many times.

Stephanie - awesome cause, awesome prize. thanks for raising awareness. good luck on reaching your goal.

Kathryn Crawford - I was so touched when I first read the post about your family wanting to give to this charity! I have been meaning to donate since then. (Just took care of it now.) You are so wonderful to do this! We all have so much and take so many things for granted. I will try to help spread the word. Hope you reach your goal!!

Eliza Boquin - Not only do you inspire me as a photographer, you inspire me as a human being! What an awesome cause and what an awesome way to get people inspired to help. Blessings!!!

Jessica Strom - I would so love to win a free session with you! It's been a long long year for me & only having a baby would beat having a session with you (the odds of winning either one are slim I know). Your photography is so inspiring to me & I love how you share your beautiful family with the world. Thank YOU for just being you.

Sara - Yay! What a great idea. Thanks Tara...hoping I win ;-) xxoo

Amber - It is so cool that you are doing this. Clean water is something so dear to so many people's hearts, including mine; I really hope you reach your $10,000 goal!

Kathryn Besser - Hi Tara, great idea!! I will spread the word on my dirtandsunshine.com site and through Facebook. I LOVE that you're doing this and here's hoping we're the lucky winners! Kathy, Paul, Dane and Tate

Michael - Great cause, goal is within reach. We hope to get to meet you.

Suezi Gurzi - You and your familyb are a true inspiration! Thanks for raising awareness on this issue!

Marla - Good luck Whitney family!!!! I may just follow in your footsteps and start my own family fundraiser. Hope you reach your goal!

sepa - pick me! pretty please.

Cathy - Thanks for sponsoring such a great charity. I will be forwarding your message on to friends. Hope you reach your goal & God Bless!

Ann Marie - $$ coming your way..would love to come out to So. Cal for the photo shoot!

julie - Great Great Great idea!! I wish you loads of luck in reaching your goal. As more people start thinking of ways to help others during this Season, hopefully they will consider something like this. Thanks for letting me and my family help out too :)

jessie - What a wonderful cause to support! Telling my friends and hoping that you reach your goal :)

Korallin aka Kuky - Great idea, I'm going to retweet this.

Vivian - First i was inspired by your photography.Now.. it's your heart! Thank you for doing this Tara. May God richly bless you and your families! }The Yu family

Sherri L Couture - I made a donation at the beginning of your campaign! Sherri

Mollie - Thank you Tara! You are inspiring!

heidi - what an awesome way to use your reach to help others. happy thanksgiving!

julie - What a great thing you are doing, Tara! Blessings!

teresa b - That's awesome Tara.. Good luck in reaching your goal.. I donated back in the beginning of your campaign!!

carrie - i have been an admirer from afar for a long time and remember when you started this campaign. i loved the idea and intended to contribute and then...kinda forgot about it. i'm catching up with my blog reading now...and i must admit the possibility of a session with you made me go get my wallet. such a great cause. well done, whitney family!

Rebecca - I donated already but would definitely fly to CA for this!!!

Rachel - Glad you're encouraging so many people to help out in this important campaign...santa monica in the house!

Danielle Bryan - I love your work!!

melissa - Love this idea. Good luck in reaching your goal. :-)

amy b - i would totally fly to OC for this!!! :)

Rebecca - Ya know I always donate to things, with no expectation of getting anything in return except the knowledge that I helped someone. This is an amazing idea tara, and thank you for being so generous and spurring us all on. :)

Jane Niles - OK, after hesitating for too long, I did it... it's such a great cause! (I only hesitated because I'm tired of my VISA card getting hacked after using websites, but that's not gonna happen... it's too good a cause, right???) Good luck

Jenny - honey chile, i am donating again in hopes! such a worthwhile cause no matter if we won (which if we did, i might just have to pee my pants). go whitney wells!

Lisa - What a wonderful cause! And a free photo shoot with you?!? Icing on the cake!

Careen Jones - I just donated - What a great cause!

Careen Jones - I've donated. What a great cause - thanks, Tara!

sarah - This is GENIUS. It was on my list to donate at some point, but this made me walk to my purse and get my credit card :)

Sandi Shipley - What a fabulous idea! Thank you for your generosity all around :-) Donation made!

rachel hill - I donated! Hope you reach your goal!

Katrina Grabowski - What a wonderful gift all the way around! I could not help but donate. We hope your goal is reached. I can only dream of a photo shoot with you and my family. Thank you for your generous heart ....

Shannon - You got my donation! Now hope I can win beautiful pictures :)

Janeen Hazel - What a great cause. I hope I win your photo session! I wanted to book with you this last summer but decided it just wasn't the right time to spend the money. My fingers are crossed!

Cami MacDonald - Tara, I just donated. I'll share this little story with you... we have 2 children adopted from DRC (Congo). They grew up drinking dirty water for the first 6 & 8 years of their lives. My daughter told me that she remembers her mother (who died needlessly of a treatable illness) teaching her that when they would fetch water, it was important to smell it first and if it was too stinky, they should not drink it. It breaks my heart to know that children like mine - children all over the world - are drinking whatever they can get their hands on. It's awful and gross and dangerous. We do take clean water seriously in our household and we are thankful for every drop. Thank you for this opportunity - you are doing very important work! God bless!

Sylvia - wonderful idea! *squeal*

Liza G - Ha! I had just donated on Cathy Z's site. I was reading her FB page and saw her mention your page! Glad to help! I'm a big fan of your work! Hoping I get lucky!

Katrina V - Great idea T! I think it is great the way you have gotten your family involved in giving!

Julie Campbell - I donated, and am so excited to see you guys reach your goal. Good luck!

Christopher - Thank you so much for getting awareness for this wonderful cause.

Danielle Hobbs - I have been meaning to donate... but the offer from you made me get up from my seat and get the cc... I wish I could say that wasn't the case... next time it won't be! I applaud you for your generosity starting this fundraiser. We should all be inspired to do the same!

Nicole - I am a total stalker, but never took the time to see what Charity Water was all about...so glad I FINALLY watched the video. Amazing! I donated...and I hope you reach your goal :).

Laura Morita-Yeun - I'm so impressed by you. That's all I can say. Thank you.

SUSAN BARRERA - WOW! how awesome! a great win-win situation. thanks, tara...one person CAN make a difference!

Amanda Kitano - Just donated, you're awesome!

Caitlin Thomas - Great idea! You inspire me not only with your work, but with this fantastic idea! I would love to do something like this, and I think I will in the new year! Thank you!

Marianne Mess - The #1 thing on my bucket list is to someday have a session with you!! How exciting to think this could come true! I donated a while back, but am going to donate some more...thanks for the opportunity to donate to such a wonderful cause!

Cathy H. - Thank you for letting me share in this worthy cause. Your cause brings hope to many people - me included! It is so cool to see how you and your family are making a difference!

Freda - I donated already, but just wanted to say that your family's generosity is wonderful!

tara k - what a beautiful thing you are doing here, miss tara. so glad to be a very tiny part of the goodness. :)

Josh & Jenny Solar - We donated and posted a link on facebook. We would LOVE to be the family that gets the portrait session... and we're so glad we could help out a great cause!

corina - I've been meaning to donate to this cause for a while now. Your extra incentive gave me the extra push I needed to actually do it! Thank you for inspiring my intention to become an action, even if I don't win (although I would LOVE if I do)!

cherie - hoping you reach the goal! thanks for letting me be part! :)

izi - This is a great cause, thanks for doing this... And thanks for donating back to your fans. I would love to have a photo-shoot just for my husband and me, that would be so much fun... Thanks again...

Christine - I just donated. What a great cause - way to go, Whitney family!

Dana - I have donated twice already ;)Yay for clean water and yay for the Whitney clan! I would love to be included in the draw? Can we, if we have already booked a session with you?? Your call ;) Love you...

kari aizawa - We were so fortunate to have a photo shoot with you recently, and are thrilled at the idea that another very lucky person will be able to experience you and your amazing work. We are entering the raffle on behalf of friends. If we win, they will receive the best Christmas present ever :)

maria - so excited about this. What a great family charity idea!

Dina - skipping Starbucks today on my birthday so others can have water! great charity!!

jen long - your generosity is inspiring! wishing you a beautiful day!

Jessica - I'm in!

ali - I donated! This is a great charity.

erin cobb - You have a beautiful soul, Tara. Count me in!

Julie Wooldridge - You make the world a better place. Love your blog and your work and your heart :) Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Shalina - Just donated! Now one person will have clean water for two decades! (crossing fingers to win a shoot with you)

Lisa - I just donated! You are getting closer. Glad I got to be a part of it. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sandra Lamb - What a great way to make a difference!

Khloe - "baaaa baaaa"-my 11 month old daughter, translation is You Rock! Good luck!!

Becca - What a great cause. I take my clean water for granted every day... it feels good to be able to help others who don't have that same luxury! Hope I get to high-five you in person after you reach your goal! :)

Amy Gant - Your family is doing a great thing. This is definitely a worthwhile cause.

Dee - I dontated!! Thanks for the opportunity to win a shoot with you while supporting a great cause, this is so awesome!

Laura - Donating again!!! Wow the pot has grown fast.... pretty awesome!

marisa - Thank you for the opportunity to help such a wonderful cause and for a chance at meeting you.

marisa - and just a little more :)

molly - you shine, tara! so glad to join you in this. :)

jenniferL - such a good cause! so glad your family is spreading the word.

Donna - I donated!

Amy D - thanks tara, for starting this campaign and for sweetening the pot! :)

Amy D - another little drop in the bucket. no pun intended!

Amy D - not sure if we need to comment for each donation? sorry!

Emma - I donated! Thanks for the opportunity Tara. Hope you guys meet your goal.

MaryAnn Perry - Tara you are simply amazing!

Brandi Ginn - sounds fantastic! What a great cause. Happy Thanksgiving!

Brandi Ginn - sounds fantastic and so incredibly wonderful of you to do this, what a great cause. Happy Thanksgiving!

Roberta - How exciting to help others with the chance to help ourselves. :) I love the idea, and this Alaska girl is keeping her fingers crossed. I LOVE your work. Have a fantastic day!

nicole hahn - donated and excited:)

sue - Is thankful.

Leslie - Oh my goodness, I will find a way to get my family from Ohio to Califorina in March...it would be a dream come true! Blessing to you all this holiday seaon!!

Nicole L - I'm sure you're well on your way to $10K!

Shannon - i just watched the video...very touching. i am happy to be a part of this. a huge thank you to the witney family for doing something so amazing. i started out only donating to have a chance at a free session...now it is so much more. i cannot wait until my 10 year old daughter comes home so i can show her this video...she has a club at school where she is raising money to help build schools...she will love this idea. water is something we take for granted everyday. thanks so much.

Rebecca - Such an awesome display of generosity! Good for you guys!

Shannon - sorry for the typo...it should say thank you to the whitney family ;)

kelly - h2o rocks! and so do you!!

Melissa - Thanks for this opportunity, both to donate to a great cause and to win a photo shoot.

Teresa Ehteshami - Thanks for motivating me to donate! I'd been meaning to and just kept putting it off. This is a great cause and I'm glad to contribute.

Catherine Burns - I've been inspired by your family's commitment and generosity. We recently made a trip to rural India and saw how critical a clean water source really is! My 9th grade daughter recently had to choose a cause and make a motivational speech for a class. After reading about your project, I recommended Charity:Water. She produced a GREAT speech about the importance of clean water and how her classmates could do something to help others. We heard her practicing over and over in the other room, emphasizing the point. After the third time, my husband got up, went to the kitchen, and brought her a glass of water. A cute family moment!

Jennifer hart - You guys are great! I am so proud of you and your family. What a wonderful example you are to me. Count me in on contest. I want to win like a motha. Jennifer

Amber Lee - Wonderful cause, hope you make your goal!

Camille L - Such a wonderful cause--thank you for informing

Kendall - This is a such an amazing way to use your gifts and an inspiring endeavor to lead your children in. Thanks for the chance to win a session too. Kendall

Corina Nielsen - you continue to inspire me through your amazing work and generous heart. Thank you so much for the opportunity to help such a great cause and congrats to you for raising the money you have... I wanna be you when I grow up :) I sent in my donation and and will be crossing my fingers to possibly meet you sometime in March!

mellie price - Good luck Tara!

Rachel Clare - I'm so grateful to have read this post! What a wonderful blessing your family is to so many people- may this charity be a wild success! I'm grateful to have been able to contribute, even if in just a small way. Best to the Whitneys!

Leandra - Whitney family- thank you for drawing attention to this cause.

Amy Gentile - Your family is so inspiring. Such a wonderful project and is so exciting to help in a small way.

heather h. - Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of this. I love your story and that your children are so brave, selfless and just plain awesome to give up there birthdays. I am in MN, but I have a sister in Orange County. I WILL BE THERE if I win.

jen berry - #1 you instill a beautiful lesson with not only your family, but other families out "there" #2 i am raising money for pablove for kids with cancer and you have inspired an idea for me to do the same... donate my time if people donate for pablove. #3 i don't care of i win (even though i really want to), but i am happy to donate to an amazing cause. something so simple that it's so overlooked...but ridiculously crucial on so many levels. #4 my husband and i eloped in january, then he was diagnosed with cancer (he's not getting better) and i would be in heaven to have some beautiful photos of us taken. it would mean the world. #5 i can keep rambling on. i'm a rambler. #6 thank you for contributing your heart and soul and talent to such an amazing cause.

Kristen Butler - What a great thing you're doing with the Charity Water Campaign! I have made my donation tonight. Thanks so much! Kristen

Lucia - I'm thankful I was able to contribute.

heavn mcarthur - THANK you for shinning another brilliant light on this. You are a blessing to many. peace & love. ~heaven.

Lisa Lee - Thank you for making me aware of this great cause Tara. I am so thankful I was able to contribute. Much luck in reaching your goal!

Emily Barklage - Keep up the good work Whitneys! I've got a free voucher on Southwest and I would love to use it to visit SoCal ...

Melinda Kolker - I would love to win a photo shoot. We will gladly drive the 6 hours to spend an afternoon with you! Love, Love, Love your images! Melinda

kelle miller - I LOVE this! I also appreciate your family doing this and that you are teaching your kids to think past themselves. My family is off to ring the bell for the Salvation Army today...hopefully we can spread the LOVE!

natalie - thanks for giving me a way to give back. you are awesome

christie spencer - you have inspired me for years... scrapbooking, photography and now charity work. Thank you!

christie spencer - we donated $10 for everyone in our family. so glad we could join your cause.

christie spencer - yay Whitney family! you are awesome.

christie spencer - can't wait to see you reach your goal!

terri bonnette - I made a small donation and would love a photo session with you!

meg duerksen - i am going to link you because i want you to make your goal!!!

Connie roper - I donated! Great idea.

CeCe Arroyo - wow, i donated because that clip moved me to tears.... and now a possibility to have a photo shoot is amazing. thank you for sharing your talent with all of us through your blog and your work.

Tamara - I donated. What a great cause

Jamie - I read about this cause on the whatever blog a couple of weeks ago & had to donate. I think it's wonderful! I am happy to try & help you reach your goal! Good luck!

mel - Just donated to your well! I am a blog friend of Julie (Joy's Hope) from Nor Cal and saw her tweet about this. I hope you reach your goal!!! And, so awesome you are doing a photo shoot giveaway!!!!

Kristen - I donated! What a great idea, Tara!

joanne c. - Thanks so much for using your gift to inspire and help others.

niccolew. - Happy to donate. Thanks for inspiring us all to get involved. Think of how many people are going to drink lovely water!

elizabeth - I love this cause and would love to donate! And please add me to the drawing as I live in Los Angeles!

Tara Stealey - you are so close to your goal!!! good luck. i'd be in southern california in a heartbeat to have my family photographed by you :)

cris stone - Accidentally donated twice but...it's water. I have lived without it and I know how much better life is with it. I consider my "mistake" a blessing.

misty - Thanks so much!

Dan Lyderson-Jackson - Thanks for letting us be a part. Donated and would love the excuse to visit CA.

Cheryl Anderson - So proud of your family. Of course I am in!! Cheryl

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Meg Duerkson from Whatever sent me here. Love your site and your mission. Of course I'm in:) I would love to come to LA in March! Pick me...Pick ME!!

Michelle (Shell) Dransart - I have been wanting to donate to this cause and I am so glad you gave me the opportunity to do it! Your offer to do a photo shoot for the winner is a wonderful bonus, as well. Its ridiculous that I am a photographer who does lots of family portrait sessions, and yet we don't have one of our own family! Its so pathetic! The pics we have are taken by strangers who we have handed our camera to for a split second! I would be beyond THRILLED to have you photograph our little California family by you, the best California photographer out there! Keeping my fingers crossed!!!! :)

Amy - Wow! Thanks for spreading this! I donated a few weeks ago and even blogged about it: http://amybrown.blogspot.com/2009/11/first-christmas-gift.html What a great cause! I cried when I first heard about it on this blog: www.memoriesoncloverlane.blogspot.com. Thanks, Tara! You ROCK!!!!! Amy

Kelly - Donated!! I hope you reach your goal!!

Raquita - I plan on doing this come my birthday in April, I found out about it thru another photogrpaher friend who is doing it for her birthday - I donated for her as well.. I'm only commenting here cause as a photographer my husbands biggest gripe is that he doesn't have enough photos of he and I - and you rock pretty hard, I'd love to have you shoot us.

amy - i donated when you first posted. but just wanted to thank you for your extreme generosity. this is awesome.

rebecca.k - Good luck on reaching your goal! I just donated, and you're so close!! Your family's commitment and your photography are so inspirational. Your generosity is amazing!

katie dupin - erin's sister & fam here.. just donated,loved the video, you are really getting close!!! :)

Nancy - Go Whitney Wells!! I think it's just awesome that you are using your talent to give back. Good luck toward reaching 10,000!

Lisa - This is such a great thing to do with your family! I am glad to be a part of something so wonderful.

Melissa - I'm in! Hope you reach your goal!

Lisa Hochman - Tara, many thanks to you for caring so much and for your generous gift to one of us! And thanks to darling Emily, far, far away, who sent out a little reminder that today was the day to make it happen and see the water flow! Thanks Emily! I need nudges. And once more to you, Tara, for the inspiration to help others. Happy holidays. xoxo

Leane Vandeman - Hi Tara! My neighbor Erin told me about your project and as a mom and blogger, I think this is such an awesome idea!!! I wish I had known about it sooner! How long is it going on? I could give a little shout out on my blog for more funds perhaps if the timing works out....and I can tweet it as well for So Cal moms.... Anyway - I stole the idea from another commenter and I donated $10 for each member of our family of five. But I don't want to come back and comment five times so perhaps you'll remember... :-) Hope you had a great Thanksgiving....

Annadee - So happy to be a part of this and so excited for a chance to win a session with YOU! I love your work and it would be a dream to have you capture my little family. :)

Kim Besom - I wish I could've donated more to this good cause. Cheers.

kimbrygc - Looks like I accidentally donated twice, but the cause is good...

Kim Besom - Wish I could've donated more to such a great cause. Cheers.

Marianne Mess - Thanks for encouraging so many people, myself included, to give to such a wonderful cause! It is true...so often we take the little things in life for granted. Your family's mission has reminded me to be thankful for a roof over my head, clothes to keep warm, and clean drinking water!

erin m - i donated and sent an e-mail blast out to a bunch of friends! hope you meet the goal! you guys are awesome!

Fabi Moraes - Hey! Here's my comment! Fingers crossed...

Christina - What a great idea!! Charity Water...Thank You to the Whitney Family, Good Luck, My Fingers are crossed you meet your goal!!!

wynona - hope it's not too late!

Amy Sims - Way to go! Thanks for making a difference.

Kim Dripps - Went to make a donation but the campaign is closed - so close... sorry you didnt make your final goal but what you did was AMAZING! Your work is AMAZING too - you should be very proud of your family!

kae - i want a photo shoot, but one where i can just go with you and see how you do what you do but you are also #1 on my "when i win the lottery" things! you rock!

Kristen TW - Oh, just realized that I never left a comment here, though did make a donation last week. So amazing that you raised so much $$ for this cause. Best wishes!

Tara Rubin - Oh man...giving to an amazing cause AND having a chance to have a Tara Whitney photo shoot...priceless! All fingers and toes crossed. xotara

Michelle Anderson - oops, I donated, but it didn't go to you?? I dunno why, but I'm happy I did!!! Thanks Whitney's!

Jana Graham - I was so sad when I went to make a donation to Whitney Wells this evening and the campaign was closed, so sorry, I thought it ended tonight, so I donated to the organization's "Holiday Drive", I hope that counts. You did a fabulous job raising money and awareness for a fantastic organization! My little family from Montana would love to make the trek to see you in March!

Emily - just wanted to say that you are SUCH a giving person, so many people's lives will be blessed because you are doing this. i wish i could have donated more.

Jessica C. - I donated the first week you ran this and am so excited to know have a chance to win a photoshoot with you. you are AMAZING!!!! THANK YOU!! :)

mellie price - Good luck and I hope we win the shoot so you can meet Miss Scarlett!

Erin - What a great family charity. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Julie - Just realized that after I donated I totally forgot to comment. Pretty standard for this forgetful girl. Anyway, your family and generosity has inspired me and spurred me to use this silly online voice that I have to work together and build a well too. Thanks so very much for your big heart. Best, julie

Katie Neal Photo - I'm donating!!!! I'd love to win a sesh!

Tammy - Oh Tara.. I can't believe I missed the deadline. Life has just been a crazy mess. I would still love to contribute, and tried, but it's locked down. Can I PayPal you directly or no? Grrr.. so mad at myself. Such is life. Always a day short. Hmph!

stacymeyers - Today is Dec. 4th and I thought I would stroll on over and see what the grand total was!!! W O W !!!! Seriously, sooo close to the goal. This is truely amazing girl! So proud of this!! :)

Samantha - Aghhh! Just back from vacation to find out I missed out on this! Is it too late? We've been part of this cahrity through our church and would love to donate.

Amy Sims - I just realized since I don't have a website, I also don't have a link. If I win (which I'm definitely hoping), my email is kozmosims@roadrunner.com. Thanks!

jen berry - ooops. i just reread my post and it says my husband is NOT getting better, but he is!!! so sorry. he's working his way back to recovery. typo = lamo

Jessica Anderson - I donated....But think I forgot to post about it hear...oops! hope it is not to late....but this was an awesome opportunity to make a difference anyway Thanks again, Jessica jlkeehn3@hotmail.com

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