Western Kentucky Bus stop for the One Campaign

The One campaign is doing a bus tour during the U.S election. The tour's purpose is to raise awareness of the issues of poverty, and to try to put pressure on the candidates to make poverty issues a priority.

The tour stop was part of a prize from the One organization. The students of WKU won by collecting more signatures than any other in a petition to be given to both the candidates.

Bowling Green Daily News writer Joanie Baker introduces us to one of the bus riders.

from the Bowling Green Daily News

Megan Schweizer took two months off from her job in Louisville to do something for which most people would go to jail.

After learning about the One Campaign organization three years ago at the University of Louisville, Schweizer became an active member in spreading the word to politicians on issues such as extreme poverty and global health.

This year, Schweizer "jumped on the bus," and joined several others across the country in touring the United States in an 18-wheeler to remind future leaders of the country about issues that could impact the world.

After spending the night in Nashville during the presidential debate Tuesday, the giant black bus plastered with One Vote 08's issues arrived on Western Kentucky University's campus.

Students were asked to sign the One Declaration, stating they believe in helping others help themselves and recognize the impact this country can have on global affairs.

As staff members handed out white One bracelets, Schweizer said Western was chosen as a campus stop after the university won the national Campus Challenge last year. Western beat more than 1,500 schools taking part in the initiative by collecting more than 3,000 student signatures.

Also, I always try to mention any fund raising events I come across, this same article also promoted a "Stand In" event coming up next week.

On Oct. 17, Western students will be challenged to attempt to live on $2 a day as part of Stand Up Kentucky. In coordination with Americans for Informed Democracy at Western, the event will bring together everyone who is trying to live like many impoverished people do worldwide in an effort to take a stand against global poverty.

"We're trying to break the Guinness World Record for having the most people standing up for a single cause," Harris said.

Fifty million people around the world are expected to take part in the international day of action for the eradication of poverty.

Events at Western will begin at 6 p.m. at the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center Amphitheater.

-- For more information, visit www.wkuaid.org/standup.

The One's web page on the bus tour has neat multimedia offerings on the tour. Including video, pictures and blog posts.