“The fight against poverty really hits home for me being that I come from a lower income family I can relate to this issue. But even on a deeper level I can appreciate the fight more since I had the chance to see it for myself firsthand.

During my service in the US Navy I was deployed to Senegal and saw how some of the people in even that modernized area had to live, and my heart went out to them. We were unable to drink the local water because it was contaminated.

Also while there, I became ill with malaria. To the locals it was an everyday occurrence but for me, it was life-threatening. I contracted the worst strand and stayed in the hospital for four days then flown to the Naval base in Rota. As a descendant of an African tribe, as a woman and as someone who truly cares, I hope that all the work ONE is doing will bring the much-needed medicines for the malaria and AIDS patients. God bless” -Shanna

“I just finished my first caucus! I feel so good to be doing something for ONE! I am a wife, a mother of four, and preschool teacher from small town Iowa. Peace and justice for everyone have always meant a lot to me. I was very active in college, but since then I haven’t done much to help move these issues forward. I had all this pent up energy to help and no outlet, until I found ONE. I would never imagine myself going to a caucus, could never imagine myself being involved in politics other than voting (just the thought was scary!!) Now, a few days later I can’t wait to do it again!” -Jenn Bergerson

“This was my very first caucus and I was completely clueless about what to expect from it. Now looking back at it, it was a lot of fun. To be able to spread something good and let others know about such a great organization was such an accomplishment. I would certainly do it again in a heartbeat!” -Nicole Mooc, high school student

“I had a great time! My daughter wore the ONE hoodie, and has worn it every day since! Caucusing for ONE is important to me because ONE these programs add stability to our world… and for national security purposes, this is extremely important!!!!” -Senator Joni Ernst, Major in the Iowa Army National Guard, ONE Vote 2012 Ambassador

“As a Catholic, I am called to share my time, talent and treasure with my neighbor. In doing so, I am not simply serving my neighbor, but God. ‘Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ [Matthew 25:40] The ability to help our brothers and sisters is easy –- all you need is your voice!” -April Young

“I left the caucus feeling grateful to live in a country where everyone has a voice. I have influence and I can make a difference! How many women across this earth would be able to do what I just did: Drive to a local school, walk in wearing my ONE shirt, sign in, and be equally counted with every other person who cared enough to show up and cast a vote to help select the nominee for president of my country.” -Teresa Dunbar

“I believe America is not just another country and we are called to do great things to protect human, dignity and life. Saving lives and aiding those in extreme poverty is our moral obligation. Please listen to your ONE volunteer and allow this plank to be added to the two party platforms.” -Dawn Pettengill

In addition to the hundreds of volunteers who caucused for ONE on Jan 3rd, many of us were also talking to the candidates in person as they crisscrossed the state. In fact, Iowa ONE members have been busy for months talking to the candidates, campaigns and party leaders on both sides about smart programs that are saving lives and asking for commitments in the fight against extreme poverty. I am so proud of our collective efforts and can’t thank our members enough for their support during a very exciting but busy year in Iowa!

The work for ONE began immediately when I landed, when Libby Crimmings, ONE’s Midwest Regional Field Director, whisked me away to an event at the Iowa Historical Building, which rests in the shadow of Iowa’s impressive State Capitol. Afterwards, the frenzy never stopped. Field Directors from the Western part of the country flew into Iowa, as well as ONE Vote 2012 Project Director, Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The ONE Field Team quickly got to work organizing ways to put the ONE message out at GOP candidates’ events, as well trying to intercept the candidates to ask for support of foreign aid programs that are directly impacting the lives of millions of people around the world. The pace at which we moved amazed even me, and we began to have huge successes.

Whether it was having ONE’s logo placed in almost every shot on Tuesday’s MSNBC’s Morning Joe, or intercepting Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal for his first introduction to ONE’s message; this Texan was running around Iowa getting work done. Yet, the most memorable moment for me was Caucus night.

I was placed with Bruceanne Phillips, Iowa ONE member, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders at the Waukee, Iowa Caucus site to give free coffee to the Caucus goers, and to inform curious Iowans as to who and/or what ONE does to help the poorest in the world. As we were giving coffee to early attendees, Texas’ Governor Rick Perry arrived at the Caucus site. Being from Texas it was a nice turn of events to be at the Caucus site that Governor Perry chose as the Caucus he would attend, and use to lobby for himself. As Governor Perry worked through the thin early crowd, I was able to intercept the Governor. Excited to have one of his constituents at the Caucus, Governor Perry was very receptive to hearing about ONE, at which Governor playfully slapped the ONE logo on my chest and said, “You full of all sorts of good stuff.” Unfortunately, there is no picture of this exchange, but it’s a memory that will hardly fade.

All in all, ONE’s Field Team had a very successful Iowa Caucus in 2012. ONE’s message was well received, ONE’s platform had little trouble passing the precinct voting process, and ONE’s logo was plastered all over a nationally syndicated morning news show for all of America to see. Iowa was very good to this Texan and to ONE.

-Joe Shehan, Field Organizer, Texas 12th District

It was an exciting Saturday night in Des Moines, Iowa this past weekend. Megan Berberich and I, members of ONE at Drake University, met with six presidential candidates at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition Fall Banquet/Presidential Forum. We had a chance to talk with Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann. With each conversation, we gave the candidate a ONE bracelet and asked them to support programs that promote agricultural sustainability.

In addition to meeting the presidential candidates, we met Ralph Reed, a conservative activist. he couldn’t say enough good things about ONE and all the great work we are doing around the world. He said it is so important to explain to Iowans the moral obligation we have as Americans to serve those less fortunate, even in these tough economic times.

Every person we met knew about ONE and thanked us for being there. We can’t wait to meet them again to talk about ONE.

-Megan Berberich, Catherine Moede, ONE members, Iowa

Anita Perry, presidential candidate and Texas Governor Rick Perry’s wife, was in West Des Moines, Iowa Tuesday to open her husband’s new Iowa campaign office.

As a ONE Vote 2012 ambassador and volunteer, I talked to Mrs. Perry about our work. She was thrilled…I mean, she just lit up when I told her that I am one of 15,000 other Iowans who are dedicated to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease.

“Y’all are all over the place,” she exclaimed, before asking whether I had a white band like the one she got in New Hampshire. “Now I have one from Iowa and from New Hampshire!” she said.

Finally, she also thanked me for the great work that ONE accomplishes, and told me to keep her informed.

-Erik Helland, ONE volunteer, Johnston, Iowa

Our booth at last year’s Straw Poll. Photo credit: Joe Crimmings

The Iowa Straw Poll will draw thousands of Republican activists from around the state to listen to and cast a mock vote for the 2012 GOP presidential candidates. This is a mock election, but is seen as the first test of candidate’s organizational strengths and will most likely weed out weaker campaigns as they head into the fall caucus season. The event will also draw hundreds of media outlets from around the world. To date, there are about 800 requests for media credentials.

Tabling at the Straw Poll last year. Photo credit: Joe Crimmings

To rev up the crowds and get the energy going, we have invited the local, popular and very talented Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps to perform at the booth. We will also have a photo booth in the tent that will allow participants to have their picture taken with a message to their Congress member and to the presidential candidates in support of ONE and priority programs.

This will be a great opportunity for ONE members to talk about smart and economical programs and policies that are not only saving millions of lives in the poorest parts of the world but also working to create good neighbors as a part of our national security strategy. These programs are proven to be effective, we have seen the results, and we want to share the living proof!

If you are interested in volunteering at the event please RSVP here: http://act.one.org/event/GeneralEvent/9889

Here’s what each had to say about their experiences:

Jane Murphy talking to Santorum

I’m so thrilled to have had the chance to talk with both Governor Pawlenty and Senator Santorum in Davenport, Iowa, all in the same week! I’ve been a very active member of the Scott County Republicans for 11 years, I’m involved with Republican Women, I’m a former Scott County chair for Governor Branstad’s campaign, and I also worked for Congressman Jim Leach for 15 years. Even with all this political experience, it still amazes me the opportunity that we Iowans are given by our first-in-the-nation status! But with opportunity comes responsibility. That’s why I’ve become an active volunteer for ONE. With so much access to the presidential candidates and the retail politics style of Iowa caucus campaigns, I have a perfect opportunity to advocate for the world’s poorest people -– to use my voice in place of theirs.

Jane Murphy talking to Pawlenty

I told both Governor Pawlenty and Senator Santorum that I was recently motivated to volunteer for ONE as my granddaughter just returned from a six-week stay in Uganda and explained to me just how great the need is there. I thanked both candidates for their support of ONE in the past and encouraged them to continue their good works. Governor Pawlenty told me it was his pleasure to support such a great cause because the need is indeed so great. He said he is more than happy to do what he can to help. Senator Santorum thanked me for coming and told me that he was a strong supporter of ONE while serving in the US Senate and continues to be a strong supporter today. What a great experience! -Jane Murphy

Denise McAleer posing with Pawlenty

I just met my first governor, attended my first political event, and talked with my first presidential candidate all in one stop! I’ve never been very involved in politics in the past, but since leaving the business sector to become a teacher while at the same time watching my husband struggle in starting his own small business –- you could say we’re certainly tuned in now! I was of course interested in hearing what Governor Pawlenty had to say about education and small businesses, but when I had a chance to talk to him it was all about helping the poorest among us.

I heard him mention in his speech in Muscatine, Iowa, about the importance of not retrenching or eliminating foreign aid even during a budget crisis as it is truly an issue of national security. I had the chance to thank him for these thoughtful words after his speech and I told him that the courage it took to stand up for this issue and these people is truly and sincerely appreciated. He then told me that he had just had the opportunity to attend a U2 concert in Minneapolis with ONE and got to personally meet Bono backstage before the concert. He said it was a life experience he’ll never forget and that he is truly happy to support our organization. After this experience, I’ve officially caught the political bug! I’ve decided to attend the Straw Poll and I can’t wait to have a chance to meet all of the candidates now! -Denise McAleer

-Amanda Sebastian, ONE member, Iowa

I was so excited to get the chance to meet and speak with Governor Tim Pawlenty in Coralville, Iowa, a city just down the road from the University of Iowa, this week. I’m the secretary of the Johnson County Republicans, an organization that I’ve been actively involved in for 13 years, and I’m so excited to be a new member of the ONE team!

It was so great to hear Governor Pawlenty talk about the importance of foreign aid even during a budget crisis. He said that now isn’t the time for America to retrench or to eliminate foreign aid, but instead to continue taking a leadership role in the world as it’s vital to our national security. I couldn’t have agreed with him more!

I even got the chance to talk with him after the event. I told him how much I appreciated his comments last week about the importance of continuing to fully fund our international aid accounts. He thanked me for my comments and for my involvement.

What a great opportunity I had to use my voice for such a great cause! This was my first experience volunteering for ONE, but it certainly won’t be my last. I can’t wait to be a part of making such an important difference in our world.

-Cyndi Michel, ONE member, Iowa

Life has thrown me a few curve balls lately and I find myself in a position where I am relying on the goodness of others to help me with day-to-day living. I am confident that my situation will change because I live in the greatest country on earth.

I volunteer whenever I can for the Polk County Republicans and because I believe that by giving, the world provides you a wealth of opportunities. I also am a ONE volunteer because all I have to give at this point is my voice and my time.

So when Michele Bachmann was in Urbandale on Saturday, I had a chance to use my voice to talk with her about ONE telling her I am just one of 15,000 Iowa volunteers who are working to end poverty around the world. I gave her a ONE band, and she told me she is very familiar with the ONE campaign. She said she loves the ONE campaign and immediately put the bracelet on.

-Jo Ellen Arthur, ONE member, Iowa

Joni Scotter, ONE volunteer and long time Republican activist from Cedar Rapids, thanked Senator Santorum for his work with the Global Fund and let him know that because of his hard work while in the Senate, the fund is continuing to save lives.

Joni gave him a ONE pin that she pinned on his lapel. Senator Santorum wore it through out the evening, during his interviews with the media and during his presentation.

The 2012 presidential campaign is heating up in Iowa.

Last weekend, presidential aspirant Newt Gingrich spoke to a group of more than 500 Iowa conservatives at the first-ever Conservative Principles Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. After his rousing speech, Mr. Gingrich made his way through the lobby where I had a chance to talk with him about Malawi and the Feed the Future initiative that Michael Gerson wrote about in the Washington Post.

Mr. Gingrich was pleased to hear about this program and thanked me for bringing it to his attention. I also had a chance to thank him for always recognizing ONE members around the country, and for his speech in November 2010 at USGLC, where he recognized the importance of “smart power” in US foreign policy.

ONE members know that where poverty and suffering flourish, so do violent conflict and instability. Therefore, investing in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease is not only the right thing to do, but it’s the smart thing to do to make the world a safer place for Americans. We hope we find an staunch ally in former Speaker Gingrich as we follow the 2012 presidential campaign trail.

-Andy Swanson, ONE volunteer, Fort Dodge, IA