Act Now
Write a Letter
While many people rely on emails these days, writing a letter can be an even more effective way to make your voice heard. A letter takes time and money to write, stamp, and post, so it sends a strong signal that the issue really matters to you.
So today, let's write a letter to President Obama urging him to help fund two new proven vaccines to help fight pneumonia and diarrhea--two of the biggest killers of children around the world.
Tips for writing a successful letter on vaccines
- Know your facts. Make sure to include some relevant--and powerful--facts in your letter. For instance, maybe you want to include that pneumonia and diarrhea kill more children every year than HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. To find out more, please visit the vaccines Hot Topic page.
- Stay on message. You should only focus on one topic at a time. Keep in mind that you are writing to advocate for childhood vaccines--so try not to bring up other issues in your letter. And be sure to include your specific request in the letter: ask President Obama to commit $450 million to GAVI (the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations) over the next 3 years to help fight two of the biggest killers of children in poor countries—pneumonia and diarrhea.
- Don't be partisan. Regardless of your political views, remember that ONE is non-partisan and we need the support of Republicans, Democrats and Independents if we are going to achieve our goals.
- Request a response. Always end the letter by asking for a response from the President. Make sure to include your email address.
- Recruit others. While writing your own letter is a great way to let the President know you care about childhood vaccines, getting everyone you know to do the same is even more powerful. Ask your friends or family to write letters, or start a letter-writing campaign in your community. Consider making the writing process a social event so you can do it together.
- Mail your letter to:
President Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
- Let us know. We want to hear about your letter to President Obama--so mail, fax or email us a copy.
Quick Facts
Know your facts
Review ONE's current actions and figure out exactly what you want to ask before you begin writing your letter.
Stay on message
Keep in mind that you are writing to advocate for the world's poorest people, and try not to bring up other issues in your letter.
Don't be partisan
Regardless of your political views, remember that ONE is non-partisan and we need the support of Republicans, Democrats and Independents if we are going to achieve our goals.
Request a response
Always end the letter by asking for a response (and make sure to include your email address).
Recruit others
While writing your own letter is a great way to let people know that you care about fighting extreme poverty, getting everyone you know to do the same is even more powerful.
Let us know
We want to hear about your letters, so share a copy with us, too.