Below, a post for Missouri Governor Matt Blunt:

As Governor of Missouri, I wanted to get involved in an effort that is sweeping through our state called the ONE Campaign. To date, almost 40,000 Missourians have already joined.

I declared Missouri a State of ONE to support my constituents and took the proclamation a step further. I encouraged mayors, city councils and university officials from across the state to issue a similar proclamation making their city a ONE City or their university a ONE Campus. These proclamations can help raise awareness around problems that exist in countries suffering from extreme poverty.

ONE’s mission is to end extreme poverty and eradicate diseases that are easily prevented – and to the surprise of many, the mission is not impossible. ONE was created to inform people on the facts and mobilize them to take action.

To my fellow Missourians, we can help lead the nation with ONE Cities and ONE Campuses. Contact your local officials today and encourage them to join. The time spent is minimal, but the outcome can be life saving.

-Missouri Governor Matt Blunt

They say you can’t fight City Hall, and I agree. That’s why I asked City Hall to join me in a fight – a fight to rid the world of extreme poverty. Mayor Donnie Brown happily agreed and signed a proclamation today to make New Madrid a City of ONE. By doing so, he has given Missouri its first City of ONE and has officially joined an effort to end extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Members of the community stood with me on Friday to watch as Mayor Brown signed the proclamation. As parents, nurses, business leaders and people of faith, we feel the need to do more around the world.

I look forward to working with others around the state to spread the message. So far, I’ve signed up 100 people after New Madrid’s City of ONE announcement. Missourians are beginning to see that we can get involved and save lives right here at home. I hope to see more Cities of ONE pop up around the state because this is a great way to get involved and shine light on important issues.

New Madrid now joins 109 cities, 10 states and three colleges that have been declared Cities, States and Colleges of ONE across the country. I want what Mayor Donnie Brown started to continue across the state – let’s lead the country with Cities of ONE!

-Cheryl White, CEO Semo Health Network