Libertyville, Ill. -Students from Libertyville High School are raising awareness about extreme poverty with a ONE benefit concert on Friday.  The concert features eight area bands, including a special performance by Principal Brad Swanson and Assistant Principal Eric Maroscher. The event is part of the campus-wide fundraiser for Adopt a Village and is made possible through the special efforts of the acoustic music club, Fret Boarders.

All proceeds will benefit Africare, an organization that specializes in helping Africa by working to alleviate hunger, build water wells, treat childhood diseases, and support social empowerment.

What:	ONE Benefit Concert to raise funds for Africare, presented by Fret Boarders and Adopt a Village.
When::	April 18, 2008 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Doors close at 8:00 pm.
Where::	The Fieldhouse Libertyville High School 708 West Park Avenue Libertyville, IL 60048

TICKETS can be purchased on April 18 between 10:20 am and 1:30 pm as well as at the door prior to the show.  Additional donations will also be accepted.

“The students and faculty of Libertyville High School have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help raise awareness about these critical issues,” said Congressman Mark Kirk (IL-10).  “Libertyville students are living proof that good actions result from the conviction that we can-and must—lessen the suffering of those living in extreme poverty.”

T-shirts designed by the students specifically for this concert will be available to purchase.  Concert-goers will also have the opportunity to speak with event organizers to learn more about the ONE Campaign and Africare.

Already, Libertyville students have made a difference, educating others in their community about the conditions of extreme poverty. Students have been working with Adopt a Village to provide funds to build wells that supply clean drinking water to communities in Africa.

In March, Libertyville High School became the first high school to become a ONE Campus. In that same ceremony, Village President Jeff Harger and Libertyville citizens promised to educate others in the community about preventable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and additional factors that contribute to extreme poverty by declaring the Village of Libertyville a ONE City.

ONE is a broad-based advocacy organization uniting people from all walks of life to press governments for policies and programs that target extreme poverty and preventable global diseases. In the United States, through grassroots efforts, high-profile events, and online action at ONE.org, ONE members reach across political aisles to urge elected officials and candidates to increase efforts to fight poverty and disease through specific legislation on HIV/AIDS, child and maternal health, malaria, debt cancellation, more effective international assistance, fair trade, and a tough approach to corruption.

Just last month, for instance, tens of thousands of ONE members launched an online campaign to convince the U.S. Senate to boost funds for international assistance work. Those funds were in jeopardy by an ill-conceived budget proposal that risked the assistance America provides to people in the world’s poorest regions – assistance like affordable, effective medicines, the resources for basic food and water needs, and expanded opportunity for economic gains. As a result of ONE’s and other related efforts, the Senate approved a $2.6 billion increase for this simple lifesaving work. Without this funding, progress which the U.S. has sparked in the developing world could have stalled, at best, or put in reverse, at worst.