Photo by David W. Smith/Daily News The One Campaign bus rolled in to Western Kentucky University on Wednesday as part of a cross-country trip encouraging college students and others to vote with an eye toward poverty and humanitarian issues.

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Megan Schweizer took two months off from her job in Louisville to do something for which most people would go to jail.

“It’s kind of legally stalking the presidential candidates,” Schweizer said.

After learning about the One Campaign organization three years ago at the University of Louisville, Schweizer became an active member in spreading the word to politicians on issues such as extreme poverty and global health.

This year, Schweizer “jumped on the bus,” and joined several others across the country in touring the United States in an 18-wheeler to remind future leaders of the country about issues that could impact the world.

After spending the night in Nashville during the presidential debate Tuesday, the giant black bus plastered with One Vote 08’s issues arrived on Western Kentucky University’s campus.

Students were asked to sign the One Declaration, stating they believe in helping others help themselves and recognize the impact this country can have on global affairs.

As staff members handed out white One bracelets, Schweizer said Western was chosen as a campus stop after the university won the national Campus Challenge last year. Western beat more than 1,500 schools taking part in the initiative by collecting more than 3,000 student signatures.

Schweizer said the bus has definitely made an impact on the presidential candidates, as One’s causes are something “they can both agree on.”

“Obama always makes sure I see him with his white bracelet on,” she said. “He’ll see me, wave and point to it.”

Schweizer is joined by Charlie Harris, a Western sophomore from Morganfield, who recently accepted an internship with the One organization.

Harris, who is minoring in nonprofit administration, will be a campus outreach ambassador to campuses in three states by acting as a liaison with student leaders to “Make Poverty History.”

By 12:30 p.m., Harris and others had already collected nearly 300 signatures after stopping students passing the bus parked by Downing University Center’s South Lawn.

“This commitment is saying they believe in issues of extreme poverty and believe Congress should do something about that with legislation,” he said.

DJuan Draper, a freshman from Louisville, said he signed the declaration because he wants to see a change in the economy.

“I learned our economy situation as is is really in trouble,” he said. “And if I can make a difference by signing my name and talking to people, I can help.”

Daja Malone, also a freshman from Louisville, said she didn’t hesitate to add her name to the list once she saw the causes the One Campaign uses to raise public awareness.

“I just like to be a part of good things and organizations that can change things,” she said.

While the bus pulled away around 2 p.m. Wednesday, Harris said campus-wide activities will continue in an effort to continue the organization’s efforts.

On Oct. 17, Western students will be challenged to attempt to live on $2 a day as part of Stand Up Kentucky. In coordination with Americans for Informed Democracy at Western, the event will bring together everyone who is trying to live like many impoverished people do worldwide in an effort to take a stand against global poverty.

“We’re trying to break the Guinness World Record for having the most people standing up for a single cause,” Harris said.

Fifty million people around the world are expected to take part in the international day of action for the eradication of poverty.

Events at Western will begin at 6 p.m. at the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center Amphitheater.

— For more information, visit www.wkuaid.org/standup.