Las Vegas, NV – More than 40,000 Nevadans and potential caucus-goers will receive a letter in the days directly before Saturday’s historic Nevada caucus, asking them to make extreme poverty and disease a high priority when deciding which presidential candidate to support. The outreach effort, called the ONE to One Campaign, is ONE’s latest initiative to engage Nevadans and presidential candidates in the fight against extreme poverty and disease.

“Nevada’s unprecedented early position in this year’s presidential election means that residents of the Silver State can fingerprint this election with the issues they care about most. Our hope is that Nevadans choose candidates who are committed to having America play a greater role in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease.  These letters are not asking residents of Nevada to select any particular candidate, nor do they advocate one political party over another. They simply ask caucus-goers to evaluate their priorities,” said David Lane, ONE President and CEO.

For months now, ONE members in Nevada have been crisscrossing the state, working to build awareness for the presidential candidates’ views and commitments on these vital issues. The letter campaign aims to support the tireless efforts of Nevada’s ONE members by reaching the homes of around 43,000 Nevadans on the Thursday and Friday before Saturday’s statewide caucuses.

The personal notes originated from among the 2.4 million Americans from all 50 states who are members of ONE.  They urged the reader to learn what the presidential candidates are saying about extreme poverty and disease by visiting www.onevote08.org/ontherecord.  On the site, voters can compare the poverty-fighting policies and positions of all the major candidates, as well as view video statements made by the candidates on these issues.

Many of those who wrote letters shared why they feel the fight against extreme poverty and global disease demand Nevadans’ attention in this election.

“Despite having the technology and ability to stop it, we live in a world that allows one billion people to live on less than $1 per day.  We live in a world that allows a child to die every three seconds from preventable, treatable diseases.  We have an opportunity, right now, that may not present itself again for many years.  I hope that in this election season that you will keep these issues in your heart,” wrote ONE member David Westfall from Manhattan, Kan.

Another ONE member, Ayron Young from Richmond, Va., wrote that poverty can be an issue that transcends partisan politics.

“I just turned 18 and am excited about voting for the first time. Like me, however, you are probably sick to death of politics, attacks on and by candidates, and the relentless coverage by the media. As aggravating as politics can be sometimes, it can also affect a great change. Personally, I am very concerned about extreme poverty and global disease and how the presidential candidates plan to utilize the immense power of America to help millions of people around the world escape the cycle of poverty,” Young said.

Finally, Sharon Grant, a ONE member from Tuscon, Ariz., hoped Nevadans would consider the candidates’ poverty-fighting policies before going to caucus.

“Ending extreme poverty and global disease is the right thing to do, will make the world a safer place and is within our power.  When you go into your caucus, think about which candidate has the best plan to tackle these issues and to help change our world for the better,” Grant wrote.

The ONE to One Campaign is a final drive before the caucus to raise Nevadans’ awareness of those living in extreme poverty around the world, and the proven, affordable solutions that can help them. There are currently 18,000 ONE members in Nevada who have taken on the challenge of educating their neighbors on these issues.

ONE Nevada has amassed an impressive advisory board of over 75 prominent citizens including tennis great Andre Agassi, Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, Congressman Jon Porter, former Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Pappa, and faith leader, Pastor Robert Fowler.

ONE is a grassroots effort of more than 2.4 million Americans, rallying Americans and pressing our leaders to fight the emergency of extreme poverty and preventable global disease.  For more information, visit ONE.org.

###