Kirstie Alley helps out on 'Aquathon'

LOS ANGELES, July 24 (UPI) -- Kirstie Alley has signed up to help out with a 24-hour Twitter and Ustream telethon to raise money for clean water in Africa, Aquathon 2009 organizers said.

The former "Cheers" and "Look Who's Talking" actress and charity organizer Steve Woods are serving as hosts for Saturday's event, which is intended to raise money to purchase water pumps from PlayPumps International, a non-profit organization that says it is dedicated to providing access to clean drinking water to millions in Africa.

"Can you imagine your child drinking filthy contaminated water? Neither can I ... Let's make sure no child anywhere ever has to. Thank you, Kirstie," Alley said in a statement.

Twitter users will be able to donate anywhere from $1 to $1 million, beginning at 6 a.m. EDT Saturday.

Alley and Woods have been encouraging Twitter followers to donate via their tweets at @kirstiealley, @_stevewoods, and @aquathon. Twitter users can also add a Twibbon to their profile in support of the campaign. A "Twibbon" is a visual show of event solidarity via an Aquathon 2009 icon that appears over a Twitter profile picture overlay.

"Each PlayPumps structure costs $14,000 to install," Woods explained. "It is our goal to raise enough donations to install 10 pumps."

More than 1.1 billion people worldwide do not have reliable access to clean drinking water. One water pump can bring safe, clean water to thousands, improving sanitation and enhancing general public health, event planners noted.