This blog was written by Aimee Giese, a blogger, photographer and dedicated ONE member.
“I first heard of ONE at a U2 concert years ago and still have my white wristband from that initial ONE tour. After being a ONE member for years, I joined the ONE Girls & Women campaign in a more official capacity as an advisory board member. I love how the organization is non-profit, non-partisan and joins our voice with others all over the world.
I was honored when I was asked to join #ONEonTour in Denver to help bring in new members because their current campaign – Poverty is Sexist – about the struggles faced by girls and women around the world, is obviously so near and dear to my heart.
I hope you enjoy a glimpse into our experience below and I encourage you to get involved!
ONE Campaign volunteers in Denver. Photo Credit: Aimee Giese
Denver loves U2.
That was pretty obvious since the first show sold out so quickly that a second night was added (and filled up almost as fast!) This overwhelming fan love makes working before the show as a ONE volunteer both easy and rewarding.
Dudes support the Poverty is Sexist campaign at the Denver show. Photo Credit: Aimee Giese
However, Denver is a small town compared to some of the Innocence + Experience tour stops, so we knew we would have to work hard to spread the word. Not deterred by weather forecasts of an impending monsoon, or the prospect of talking to thousands of strangers, our team of volunteers got to work.
ONE Campaign volunteers in Denver, June 7, 2015. Photo Credit: Aimee Giese
And…apparently Denver also loves ONE!
Over the two nights, we got 2,253 people to sign the Poverty is Sexist petition (1,132 on June 6th and 1,121 on June 7th), beating the tour record for the number of signatures in one night! It was great to sign up so many people because we had two young teenage volunteers who were experiencing advocacy in action for the first time.
ONE volunteers leading the next generation of ONE members! Photo Credit: Aimee Giese
We met lots of people who had traveled to see U2; it was a blast to hear the zip codes from near and afar. Many people had already heard of the organization and were happy to help. Those who didn’t know us were eager to learn about our work. These ladies from Kansas City (pictured below) saw our shirts and called us over to sign!
New ONE members proud of adding their name to our Poverty is Sexist petition. Photo Credit: Aimee Giese
We’ve had crazy weather in Denver this Spring – flooding on par with other parts of the country. Luckily for us, the rain held off until we went inside both nights!
Wind picking up right before the doors open at Pepsi Center, Denver. Photo Credit: Aimee Giese
We thought we had seen everything when it comes to support for the ONE Campaign and love for U2. But this guy below proved us wrong. He showed us the ultimate #Strengthie: his bicep doing the classic Rosie the Riveter pose featuring a tattooed Bono quote!
The ULTIMATE #Strengthie: a Denver fan’s tattoo of a Bono quote. Photo Credit: Aimee Giese
Once the band started, we were able to join the crowd and enjoy the music.
I was thrilled to be part of such a committed group of volunteers. It was also a special weekend for me because my college roommate Marabeth (who joined me for that first u2 show years ago) came to Denver with her daughter to volunteer with me, so I got to witness the next generation of ONE members.
I was also pretty psyched to meet Bono. Here’s the proof!
My friend and I with Bono after the show!
All this hard work is so worth it. In the past 10 years, extreme poverty has been cut in half. Let’s dig our heels in and completely eradicate it by 2030! Sign our petition here to help us get there.