First Lady Laura Bush speaks to participants at the Caregiver Kit Build during the Republican National Convention in the Twin Cities. Seated behind her are (left to right) the ONE Campaign's David Lane, former Sen. Bill Frist, Cindy McCain, and World Vision's Princess Zulu.
Photo ©2008 Dawn Villella/Genesis Photos

The Caregiver Kit Build events at the national political conventions in Denver and the Twin Cities collectively brought together more than 750 people who assembled more than 4,000 kits. Each kit is filled with basic yet often inaccessible supplies for volunteers who care for those suffering from AIDS in poor communities around the world. World Vision partners with McKesson Corp., the world's largest health-care company, to provide the items for the kits.

The events brought together some high-profile individuals, including former American Idol finalist and rock star Chris Daughtry, former Sens. Tom Daschle, Bill Frist, Rick Santorum, and John Kasich, as well as Cindy McCain, First Lady Laura Bush, World Vision’s Princess Zulu, and the ONE Campaign’s David Lane.

'Rolling up our sleeves'

"We are all in this together," Daschle rallied the audience at the event in Denver. "Ending extreme poverty and preventable global disease requires all of us to come together and do what we can to change the world. That can mean uniting our voices as one to call for change, or rolling up our sleeves as one to help those in need. Indeed, I can think of no better example than the World Vision and ONE volunteers working together … their unity and their efforts will save lives."

During each Caregiver Kit Build event, volunteers rolled up their sleeves and filled kits with cotton balls, latex gloves, Vaseline, flashlights, and notes of encouragement to the people who dedicate their time caring for people suffering from AIDS. In Minneapolis, Laura Bush addressed the crowd and offered thanks for the collaborative efforts of World Vision, the ONE Campaign, and party delegates and leaders.

"I want to thank each and every one of you," said the First Lady. "I have no worries; I can tell the ONE Campaign, I know whoever's elected will continue this because it is so effective, and because people depend on us, and because just like Princess [Zulu] and President Bush said, 'To whom much is given, much is required.'"

Pennies symbolizing lives

Some 6.1 million pennies collected and put on display at the Caregiver Kit Builds in Denver and Minneapolis represent the number of lives lost to AIDS since the last presidential election four years ago.
Photo ©2008 Dawn Villella/Genesis Photos

In addition to the caregiver supplies, Got Cents, a campaign run by the nonprofit Change for a Penny, organized a display of 6.1 million pennies in the formation of an AIDS ribbon — symbolizing the number of lives lost to AIDS since the last presidential election.

In part because ONE members have raised their voices in hundreds of town hall meetings, community gatherings, and direct meetings with the candidates, both John McCain and Barack Obama have committed to policies that will empower people struggling with global poverty and disease to lift themselves up and gain access to the care they need.

McCain has pledged to eradicate malaria. He also has spoken at length about America's role in combating global HIV and AIDS and the benefits of such U.S. initiatives as the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Obama has committed to doubling U.S. foreign assistance to $50 billion by 2012. He would build on proven, successful foreign policy programs, such as America's global AIDS strategy to which he has pledged a stronger commitment than in current law.

"Assembling these kits…sends a symbolic message that fighting extreme poverty is an important issue in this election," said Lane. "Voters, delegates and the candidates themselves are demonstrating their commitment to doing more for the world's poorest people."

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