Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own
If you asked me a year ago today what I would be doing in 2011, my response would have been ramping up ONE engagement and membership in the Great Lakes States in the US. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that I’d be travelling to New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and literally crisscrossing North America on behalf of ONE with the U2 360° Tour. 2010 – 2011 will definitely be a year that I’ll never forget.
I have always known that ONE members are special. ONE is an advocacy organization, so members use the power of their voices for people who do not have one. ONE doesn’t fundraise…ONE doesn’t have a membership fee…ONE doesn’t directly deal with dollars, euros or pounds. We connect the dots. We’re a bridge. Our strength is in our numbers….people from around the world coming together as ONE. And the numbers that were gained along the way on the U2 360° tour proves that ONE is an extremely strong organization and getting stronger each day!
In total, just shy of 315,000 people around the world have become ONE members and are currently fighting against extreme poverty as a direct result of the efforts made by almost 3,000 ONE volunteers at the 110 U2 360° shows across the globe.
ONE volunteers that I have met along the way have been an incredible group of people. I have met people from around the world….People from different socio-economic, political and religious backgrounds. But in the true spirit of ONE, everyone came together to fight for those living in extreme poverty and dying of treatable and preventable diseases.
Every single day since I started on this tour, I have been constantly impressed and inspired by the ONE volunteers that I have worked with. Their passion, their commitment, their positive energy, kept me going…even when I was working off of two hours sleep! ONE members give me hope that we’re actually making progress on the ground, and for that, I thank you.
The community that was built on this tour is a solid one and ONE that is committed to making a real difference in this world. I played a very small role and I thank everyone that was involved in the efforts. I have faith that the ONE volunteers and the new ONE members will continue to come together as ONE and make sure that their voices continue to be heard. Far too many people are silenced so we need to make sure that we continue to make lots of noise.
Thank you to the incredible group of ONE volunteers I’ve worked with. Please continue to keep in touch and let me know how you’re doing. Thank you to the new ONE members who signed up at the U2 360° tours. You’re an inspiration.
Thank you to the unbelievable group of individuals that actually make the show happen day in and day out….My family on the road! I met some of the most talented people ever and I thank them for being my family and friends the past 10 months.
Like the band says, “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own.” Well I’m proud to say that ONE won’t let that happen.
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About the Blog
The International ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with guest contributions from ONE volunteers, members and allies.
The content of each post and each comment represents the views of that author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ONE. ONE does not support or oppose any candidate for elected office, and any post expressing support or opposition for a candidate is not endorsed by ONE.
05/08/2011 at 2:30 pm
It was great to work as a volunteer for the ONE campaign with you, Maura. Thanks for the opportunity =)
cheers from Brazil
05/08/2011 at 2:48 pm
Hello Maura, It was an amazing moment for me to take action in the ONE campaign. It was a dream come true. I am always conected with the ONE.org to read the news. Be sure, that I am ready to take part of the new actions of the campaign to end the extreme poverty. Also it was an amazing thing to know the other volunnteers from 04/13/2011. We are all together and conected to work as ONE. Thank you very much to allow me to make part of the ONE campaign. MUCH LOVE ! Regards from Brazil, Luiz Fernando.
05/08/2011 at 2:50 pm
WOW – what an amazing year! I can imagine it was wonderful but at the same time a lot of work… thank you for your time and effort.
05/08/2011 at 3:03 pm
Hi Maura! Hi everyone! I volunteered here in Argentina and as I always say, It was a life-chaning experience!!!!
I know WE ARE TOGETHER AS ONE!
LOVE!
05/08/2011 at 3:13 pm
Thank you Maura. I was one of your last Australian volunteers (Perth). It was a fantastic experience and you are truly an inspirational person, Love being part of the whole that is ONE. Naomi
05/08/2011 at 3:14 pm
Maura, it was so good to open up this link and see your face! I miss working with you; back in Chicago. But I am more inspired and proud:to see all you have done all over the world. Thank you for what you do. Hope our paths cross again soon, Lori
05/08/2011 at 3:35 pm
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaw, Maura! You did me cry… Thanks you for the oporttunity to work for ONE. So with you, me and others ONErs, we’ll never forget this year.
Thanks for everything that happened here in Brazil.
You’re AMAZING and a SUPER WOMAN! *______________*
MUCH LOVE! =)
05/08/2011 at 3:44 pm
Thank you Maura for taking care.. thank you for making a difference , thank you from many .. we are ONE .. we are ONE voice
Regards from Montreal
05/08/2011 at 3:55 pm
hello everyone! I’m italian and I would like to know how can I become a ONE volunteer, thank you!
05/08/2011 at 4:40 pm
Being a ONE volunteer is an experience that marks you and defines you…you want more, you need more!!! Thanks to people like Maura and all the great ONErs you find on your way you feel we can…and we will as ONE…
Regards from a ONEr from Argentina
05/08/2011 at 5:13 pm
Thank you, Maura. It was a privilege and a thrill. I loved the opportunity to talk to so many great people, teens to grandparents, about ONE.
Regards from Toronto
05/08/2011 at 5:45 pm
Maura! You can be sure that we are still making lots of noise over here! The work continues! The ONE Team- South America is doing their homework. You can count on us to help you any time.
As you always say: Much love
05/08/2011 at 6:19 pm
Mara: YOU are the rockstar. Thank you for giving your life over to ONE and the tour the last year! If it weren’t for your dedication those 300K members wouldn’t be there, and people like me would not have had such an amazing experience. It deepened the commitment, increased the ranks, and changed the world…believe it.
Be proud: YOU did that. THANK YOU!!
05/08/2011 at 6:58 pm
Maura, just as Li Lima said, ONE South America is still working as a single unit, together as ONE indeed, speaking up, spreading the word and showing the world that when people decide to work together, a lot of wonderful things can be achieved.
Thanks for being, as I call you, the mother of our ONE volunteers family!
We will continue working so you will be proud of us, your volunteers. I am sure everyone will agree with me, without your support and guidance, we would not have reached such a commitment to the cause.
05/08/2011 at 7:56 pm
Hi Maura! I have a stronge pleisure to say that I was part of this campaign! Your job is amazing and the experience was like a “unforgettable fire”! I expect to continue to work to ONE.org, with the great people that I meet, including you, of course!
Best Wishes to all of you!
Gui
05/08/2011 at 10:44 pm
Great Time!! More to come as ONE!!!
06/08/2011 at 12:39 am
Maura – it was so great meeting you in Montreal! Thank you so much for the opportunity to volunteer for ONE and making my concert experience special and meaningful in a way I never thought possible. I was truly touched by all the people I met who have joined ONE over the years. You have m a g n i f i c e n t energy, and I know you’ll shine whatever you choose to do in your career! Hope to cross paths with you again someday…..Until then, love and peace from Canada
06/08/2011 at 1:17 am
The event in Edmonton was a great experience and a memory i’ll keep forever. Thanks for all of your hard work!
06/08/2011 at 4:29 am
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All of us together made an excellent job because of you. Your name is now full of ONE!
It was a great honor for me to work with you, with all you guys in Montreal, with ONE and U2. Cheers!
06/08/2011 at 4:34 am
Here your name again!
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06/08/2011 at 8:40 pm
Maura,
It was amazing to work for ONE, and I will always be here for ONE, whenever and whatever you need. What you said about us I say about you:
YOUR passion, YOUR commitment, YOUR positive energy, kept US going.
My best wishes !!
08/08/2011 at 1:42 am
Maura,
You are one of the best, and most enthusiastic people I have ever worked with. You go the extra mile for volunteers and thats why everyone loves working with you and with ONE. Anytime you need volunteers in Alberta you know that I can help and from everyone who came to the Edmonton show and volunteered for ONE, Thank you so much. =)
Ryan
09/08/2011 at 5:09 pm
Maura
we must thank YOU! due this unbelievable experience, the people, the group, the music, the time, and – off course – the huge oppotunity to spread the voice of ONE
If you come to Chile again, do not hesite in contact us, we will receive you with open arms and a big hug!
Like the band says, “ … What you’ve got they can’t deny it, Can’t sell it, or buy it …” I feel proud to say that I´m a ONE member/volunteer and that I help to a superior good
The memories of this day come to me erverywhere
Take care and stay in touch
Rodrigo
12/08/2011 at 10:00 pm
Hey Maura, don’t be modest, you did a great job motivating us the volunteers to help spread the word about ONE and give our voice to those less priviledged. Big groups require a strong, inspirational leader and the right tools for the job. You are that leader. Thanks for your words and for giving us all the chance to make a difference.