Columbus, OH — Jakob Freely and the Mixtape Bandits will pay tribute to the local arts while raising awareness about extreme poverty and preventable disease at Columbus’ summer music festival, ComFest. The band is scheduled to play on the main stage (Bozo) at 2:45 pm on Saturday, June 28.

Along with sporting ONE Campaign t-shirts, Jakob Freely will provide a short explanation of how organizations like the ONE Campaign are working to relieve the suffering of millions of people living in extreme poverty. Members of the audience will also have an opportunity to sign up for the campaign.

“We are gathered this weekend to celebrate our love of music, of community and of activism. Every day we impact the world that we live in. Think of what a difference we could make if all of us were joined together in singular determination to make poverty history,” said Dave Huffman, lead singer for Jakob Freely.

“Over the past few years, we have seen the tide of extreme poverty begin to ebb. 29 million more children are going to school. Clean water treatments are helping make water safe and spurring local economies. Many countries previously swimming in debt are finding relief. But we still have much more work to do, and by being here today, we hope we can find more people to join us in the struggle against extreme poverty,” said Chris Cooper, ONE Campaign volunteer and Chillicothe resident.

“Hundreds of Ohio residents are already taking action to help alleviate the suffering of millions around the world. In late April, thousands of people living in Ohio joined more than 110,000 Americans to sign a petition asking President Bush to make the present food crisis at top priority at gathering of international leaders at the G8 Summit in Japan in July,” Cooper added. President Bush responded by assuring ONE members and other Americans he would work to put the food crisis at the top of the G8’s agenda.

Members of the ONE Campaign will be present to speak with others at the event and to let people know how they can get involved. Merchandise will also be available.

The 37th annual ComFest will be held June 27-29, 2008. The weekend will feature six stages hosting local bands, live arts and cultural performers as well as a variety of community organizations and food vendors.

The ONE Campaign is a global advocacy organization uniting millions of people to press government leaders to fight extreme poverty and preventable disease around the world. For more information, visit www.ONE.org.

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