Los Angeles residents and Thirst Project join forces to help combat the global water crisis. #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos has the scoop.
For the past sixteen years, Thirst Project has grown from a small cohort of college students wanting to make a difference, into the nation’s largest youth-focused clean water organization in the world.
On his website, Thirst Project President and Founder, Seth Maxwell, says this of starting the organization: “Thirst Project was born out of a bunch of twenty-somethings using the only thing we had- the only thing we knew how to do- to simply tell the story of people without safe water… Today, we work with middle schools, high schools and colleges, educating students about the global water crisis, and challenging them to take action to end it.”
Since it’s inception, Thirst Project has raised several million dollars and funded over 3,500 clean water projects and provided safe, clean water to over 650,000 people in 13 countries.
For the most recent World Water Day, in March of this year, Thirst Project Board Members, students, and supporters gathered in Venice, California to “walk for water.” There, the group walked down the famed Venice Blvd. carrying yellow jerry cans, similar to what many in developing countries carry to transport water from unsanitary lakes and other water sources. The group engaged in hundreds of conversations with passersby’s about the global water crisis, and what the public can do to help. The group also raised thousands of dollars, with every penny going towards clean water projects in Eswatini, South Africa.
Nicholas Tocco, pictured above, has been attending Thirst Project events for the past decade.
”After hearing Seth Maxwell tell the story of how Thirst Project got started and their mission statement, I knew it was an organization I wanted to be involved with.” Tocco’s husband, actor and producer Mike Manning, is on the board of Thirst Project and the pair have both been involved with the organization over a decade.
In 2023, Nicholas and Mike both earned the Board of Director’s “Governor’s Award” at the 14th Annual Thirst Gala, held at Paramount Studios.
“Another thing I like about Thirst Project is that all the money raised from students and at events goes directly towards water projects, unlike other organizations that can be less efficient with their donations,” said Tocco when asked why he likes Thirst Project compared to other charity organizations.
Next up for Thirst Project is the 16th Annual Thirst Project GALA. The GALA will be Saturday, June 28th, 2025, at the SLS in Beverly Hills. Previously, the Thirst Gala has been hosted by Jennifer Garner, Pauley Perrette, Angela Kinsey, Michelle Monaghan, Lance Bass, Chyler Leigh and more! This star-studded event has featured presentations by Adam Sandler, Bryce Dallas Howard of and Kristen Stewart, with performances by Gavin DeGraw, Chris Daughtry, OKGO and others.
For more information on the Thirst Project, check out its official website, and follow them on Instagram.
