Jonestown, State House, the ONE Campaign Unite to Fight Poverty

Jonestown, PA – The City of Jonestown and the State House of Representatives joined with the ONE Campaign in an effort to bring hope and opportunity to millions of people worldwide recently, joining more than 95,000 Pennsylvania members of ONE working towards the same goal. On Saturday, Jonestown Mayor George Kaufman declared Jonestown a “City of ONE” and State Representative RoseMarie Swanger presented a Certificate of Recognition from the State House at a community event.

“When we come together for a common cause, great things happen,” State Representative RoseMarie Swanger and ONE member said. “There are more than 95,000 ONE members in Pennsylvania right now. Together, we are working as ONE to rid the world of illiteracy, disease and poverty. On behalf of my fellow colleagues in the State House, I am here to recognize this challenging feat.”

ONE is a campaign powered by millions of Americans from all 50 states who want to help end poverty and promote health in Africa and elsewhere in the world’s poorest countries. ONE members urge Congress to prioritize policies that reduce hunger and increase access to basic education, clean water and lifesaving medicines around the world. Right now, through ONE Vote ’08, ONE members are asking presidential candidates to make these important goals a key part of their foreign policy agenda.

“I am proud that Jonestown is Pennsylvania’s first City of ONE. Each of us has a responsibility to help others in an emergency. When people are dying from diseases that can be easily cured or treated, I consider that an emergency,” said Jonestown Mayor George Kaufman. “With the Jonestown residents, this is something I can do to help. We need to acknowledge the problems, learn about the issues and take action with the ONE Campaign.”

ONE member and Jonestown resident Brian Sweeney headed the effort to secure the proclamation and has been actively involved with ONE by helping organize the ONE “Central PA” Group. When he is not at home with his family, Brian educates the community on avoidable poverty and global disease and garners support for the campaign at local churches, schools and city council meetings.

“Earlier this year, I went to NYC with ONE to learn more about extreme poverty and what I can do as an average citizen to make a difference. Turns out, there’s a lot I can do,” explains Sweeney. “I can ask my Mayor to make my hometown a City of ONE, I can ask my Governor to declare my state a State of ONE, and I can call on my representatives in Congress to make the right decisions for the world’s poorest people.”

Jonestown is the first City of ONE to be declared in Pennsylvania. Jonestown joins 109 cities, 10 states and three colleges that have been declared Cities, States and Colleges of ONE across the country.