ONE Act a Week: Our favorite holiday blog post pitches, and the winner!

Dec 16th, 2011 12:30 PM UTC
By Malaka Gharib

Almost 60 ONE members submitted their pitches for our holiday blog post contest. People could write about their hopes for the new year, what they’re thankful for or their most inspiring moment of 2011. Here are some of our favorite blog post pitches from ONE members across the US. Their stories are intriguing, and I’d love to know more about them!

“This year I spent the summer working with my NGO in Ghana, starting a girls sewing training program, building two classrooms and a nutritional food distribution program. I am thankful not only for the success of these programs, but for lessons and inspirations afforded to me by those I know in Africa.” -Kelsey Finnegan

“I just returned from a trip volunteering in Oaxaca, Mexico so not only am I thankful to have been born with privileges but also to have the chance to experience and help other cultures. Since I have been back in the US, I have spread the word about international volunteerism through blog posts and articles.” -Katie Boyer

“At age 11, I asked my parents why I was lucky enough to be born in the U.S. in response to watching an Oprah Show highlighting the plight of African AIDS orphans with them. This question of justice prompted me to create Kids Caring 4 Kids, a non-profit that works to expose other kids to that very question in the hopes that they will join the fight to help other kids who weren’t as lucky being born in Africa.” -Kendall Clesemier

“You know the song ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ This year I had a hand in sharing stories of the folks I’ve met in Haiti, West Africa, and Brazil with volunteers who come in to pack food, at the organization where I work. While listening to the song last week on the radio, I came to realize…man…that’s what I’m a part of…opening people’s eyes to the reality of the world around them (and across the seas) and challenging and encouraging them to take action to to ‘Feed the World.’ What a gift this last year has been!” -Amy Soden

“The Agriculture and Hunger Griot course inspired me to be more involved with the world’s food insecurity crisis. Next year, I am launching a campaign with my family and friends. Every time we visit a grocery store, we will have to buy at least one item for the hungry and donate it to a food bank.” -Shayla Price

“I joined a team with Habitat for Humanity to build houses for AIDS orphans in Mozambique. I have signed up for leadership training to lead a team back to the same village next year. Can’t wait!” -Lisa King

Unfortunately, we can only choose one winner, and that is Kelsey Finnegan. She won us over with the girls sewing training program she started in Ghana. We can’t wait to learn more. We’ll try to publish her piece as soon as we can.

ONE love!

TAGS: ONE, ONE Act a Week