Actress Jessica Biel is aiming to raise $5,000 for a water charity after appealing to fans to donate to the cause to mark her 29th birthday on Thursday, March 3. The "The A-Team" star is following in the footsteps of teen superstar Justin Bieber by calling on devotees to raise cash for Charity: Water by donating $29 to the fund in lieu of gifts. The organization aims to provide clean and safe drinking water to people in developing parts of the world.
In a message to fans online, Biel also reaches out to TV viewers who enjoyed her turn in funnyman Jimmy Kimmel's post-Oscars "Humpilates" comedy sketch, which aired in the U.S. on Sunday, February 27.
She writes, "$5,000 builds a well that will serve 250 people with clean water. This year, I want to team up with all of you to celebrate my 29th birthday by raising $5,000 TODAY to build one clean water project. I am asking my friends, family, and Humpilates devotees to donate $29 to build a water well and provide clean, safe drinking water to a community in need."
And the actress' appeal has been given a big boost by her pop star boyfriend Justin Timberlake. In a post on his Twitter.com blog, he writes, "Jessica Biel donating her 29th for @charitywater. Let's build a clean water well today!" Bieber's loyal following helped the birthday boy smash his target of $17,000 on Monday night, February 28 , before he officially turned 17 on Tuesday, March 1.
But Biel's charity appeal hasn't stirred the same amount of interest among her fans - only 14 people had pledged donations to the cause by Thursday afternoon, raising $885. The actress also raised funds for Charity: Water last year by completing a hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with a group of celebrity pals.
In a message to fans online, Biel also reaches out to TV viewers who enjoyed her turn in funnyman Jimmy Kimmel's post-Oscars "Humpilates" comedy sketch, which aired in the U.S. on Sunday, February 27.
She writes, "$5,000 builds a well that will serve 250 people with clean water. This year, I want to team up with all of you to celebrate my 29th birthday by raising $5,000 TODAY to build one clean water project. I am asking my friends, family, and Humpilates devotees to donate $29 to build a water well and provide clean, safe drinking water to a community in need."
And the actress' appeal has been given a big boost by her pop star boyfriend Justin Timberlake. In a post on his Twitter.com blog, he writes, "Jessica Biel donating her 29th for @charitywater. Let's build a clean water well today!" Bieber's loyal following helped the birthday boy smash his target of $17,000 on Monday night, February 28 , before he officially turned 17 on Tuesday, March 1.
But Biel's charity appeal hasn't stirred the same amount of interest among her fans - only 14 people had pledged donations to the cause by Thursday afternoon, raising $885. The actress also raised funds for Charity: Water last year by completing a hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with a group of celebrity pals.