We’re at the service project. It kicked off with short speeches by ONE President and CEO David Lane and an incredible Zambian AIDS activist Princess Zulu.
Right now, volunteers are running off to prepare kits for AIDS caregivers around the world.
The kits include simple items like wash cloths, cotton balls, soap, petroleum jelly. The kinds of things we take for granted everyday in America. And the kinds of things that can literally save lives around the world. Each bag of cotton balls, for example, will be washed and re-used for months.
I’m attaching photos below. They include photos of the supplies, assembly lines and packing up. Note the ones of people writing notes, every kit includes a handwritten note from the volunteer who assembled it – to the caregiver who will receive it.
I’m taking a bunch of video now too, but have to wait until I have silghtly better Internet to upload them.
A lot of people have come by to learn about ONE and sign up for the cause. Here’s a sampling of the foot traffic.
Below, a couple of alternate delegates from New Mexico came by. They said they’d be on the convention floor tomorrow and will be wearing their new ONE shirts.
Here, a set of 3 delegates from Nevada came by to pick up some ONE materials.
A couple more pics of visitors coming by.
And this one is my favorite. ONE staff and volunteers were busy, so our new Alternate-Delegate-from-New Mexico friends introduced these three newbies to ONE.
The delegates, volunteers and brand new ONE members are pouring by our ONE Bus in Denver.
I managed to catch some of it on camera. First I’ll profile 3 of our volunteers: Erika, Monica and Allie.
Erika (below) and I chatted for a bit. She told me that she first heard about ONE 2 years ago from an email – and has been a big supporter ever since. This is the first time she’s been able to volunteer in-person – I’m excited to see more of her around the convention.
Monica is also a local volunteer. Here she is getting ready to head out to the 16th St. Mall in Denver to spread the word about ONE. Yesterday, she walked the “delegate-credentialing” line and signed up new ONE delegates for us. She was even able to get to hand some ONE lit and a ONE band to New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.
And local volunteer Allie also came by and was kind enough to pose for me by our bus.
I’m here with a ONE crew in Denver, starting up the 1st leg of ONE’s convention outreach.
Below check out our new traveling headquarters: “the ONE Bus”. This week it’s in Denver for the Democratic National Committee Convention. Next week we’ll drive the bus to Minneapolis/ St. Paul for the Republican National Committee Convention.
Right now, folks are just setting up, and at 9am (mountain time) Democratic delegates and volunteers will be coming by to learn more about ONE and how to get involved.
Later today, we’re partnering with World Vision to run a service project building volunteer kits for AIDS caregivers around the world.
Check back to the ONE Blog over the next 2 week for more updates from the ground.
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