I spent this weekend with some of the ONE Campaign’s most
dedicated Chicagoland supporters. On Sunday evening a group of more than 100
ONE supporters gathered at the Fourth Presbyterian Church – right off of
Michigan Avenue for those of you familiar with Chicago – for a meeting with
people of different faiths, political backgrounds and nationalities to
encourage Illinois leaders to fund the President’s budget request to fight global
AIDS and poverty.

The meeting was an incredible success. Even I was surprised at
how many people showed up. We actually RAN OUT of chairs – a huge feat for the
ONE Campaign’s local organizer who dedicates her time to inspiring people
around the country to get involved in the ONE Campaign.

Following a presentation by a Senegalese human rights lawyer
and other volunteers from a handful of organizations, including CARE
and Bread for the World, every person in the room took the time to
write letters to their Senators (Richard Durbin and Barack Obama) and asked
them to help make poverty history by fully funding the President’s budget
request.

It was inspirational to see so many people taking the time
to come together, on a Sunday, to write their leaders and ask them to do more
to fight global AIDS and poverty. Events like the one yesterday in Chicago are happening all over the U.S., so it’s no wonder that the
ONE Campaign and all of its supporters have had such a positive impact on
combating poverty and AIDS.

Many of the people I had the privilege of meeting yesterday
had never written to congress, yet by coming together and recognizing that
their voice could make a difference for people in the world’s poorest
countries, every person in the room felt empowered to take action. I know I
did, and I encourage you to take the time to write your senator and tell him or
her that you care about fighting poverty and AIDS.