Oxfam at Bonnaroo!

Besides being one of the greatest musical events in existence, Bonnaroo provided a wonderful opportunity to expose thousands of people to Oxfam and its goals. Oxfam has been fighting poverty and social injustice for decades and has added environmental concerns such as adaptation to its cause. The petition asking the presidential candidates to commit to address how climate change is affecting the world's poor is a way to have your voice heard. As a group of 10 people, volunteers and a staff member, we gathered well over 3000 signatures to our petition and passed out stickers, pins, and literature. It was a great feeling to walk around the festival and see Oxfam's presence.

Our tent was located in Planet Roo, an area of the festival reserved for non-profits. This alone was a great opportunity to see how other groups reach out and how many worthwhile causes exist.

Thanks to all the volunteers, and thanks to the three Kansas City volunteers: Mark Petterson and Andrew and Tim Flanery. They did a fantastic job! We hope Oxfam returns for another successful weekend next year! Woohoo Bonnaroo!!!

The Breeders and Oxfam Action Corps

The Breeders at The Bottleneck!

This was my first tabling of a concert - and what an amazing time! Not only were both bands great, the crowd was fantastic. Almost everyone we approached was open to listening and signing the petition.

We were happy to have Chris help out before the show started. He and Anna worked the line outside while I played photographer. I was able to talk with the opening band, Colour Revolt. Most of the members had already signed the petition, but I got the drummer to sign. By the way, they are a great band. Check them out.

The Breeders were basically awesome. I don't know if I can say more. Ross, the contact for Oxfam, was super nice and helpful. He even let me plaster stickers all around his merchandise station.

I'm not sure how many people came to the show. My terrible estimating skills put it at about 300. We were able to get about 90 signatures. That's almost a third of the audience!

I hope all my future concerts with Oxfam are as fun and successful as this one. woot woot!!

-Nicolette

Earth Day 2008

Earth Day Parade - Oxfam Action Corps Marches in Lawrence

OAC Kansas City marched down the middle of Main Street Lawrence in the Earth Day Parade today. There were bikes and flags and bubbles and dogs and kids and stilts and unicycles and a giant worm from Half-Price book store and ladies pushing toilets from the re-store store and the eco "gas" station, peace activists, the electric bike gang, the local soy lobby, and all the environmental groups. It was adorable.

We were a group of 8 - enough to be a small presence and not get lost in the parade - with 2 in front carrying posters and the rest caring my husband's 5 gallon work buckets plastered with messages on our shoulders & heads for best visibility.

It was SO fun!!!

AND at the Celebration in South Park following the parade we got 242 signatures on the petition (a big number for a small town)! People were so receptive - even finishing our sentences as we gave the pitch - and seemed completely on board with the idea of including adaptation funding in climate change legislation!