On Friday, November 30th, I joined the ONE-Supporting Band “Building a Better Spaceship” (Vinn Lombardo, Adam Holt, Rick Johnson, Ross Facundo and Paul Funk) and ONE member Stephanie Pettit at the Second Annual Music Festival Benefiting the Orphans and Widows of Uganda at the Hermosa Beach Play House.

ONE Spokane leader Kelly Kiki flew down to LA to speak at the benefit about his work with I have to say, it was amazing to meet another team leader and I was inspired by his commitment to fighting poverty and educating children, in particular.

Hope 4 Kids International (a ONE Partner Organization) strives to restore the dignity stripped away from innocent children that are suffering through extreme poverty and disease. Hope 4 Kids International sponsors over 1300 AIDS orphans and needy children in these communities.

When I heard it was a music festival I just had to get Building a Better Spaceship involved. The band, who are Hermosa Beach regulars and in 2005 were named ‘Best New Band’ in the US, besting over 200 acts from all genres of music in 12 major markets are ONE Supporters and had been looking for a way to become more involved (especially, drummer Adam, who is an ardent ONE Member). It was a fantastic turnout and a good opportunity to raise awareness. I spoke to more than 50 people about the advocacy work of ONE and everyone seemed very keen to learn more and sign the ONE Declaration.

Music really does bring people together.

- Los Angeles Volunteer Leader, Amy Quinn