Student Advisor Brittany Harris spent last summer in Africa working with children infected with AIDS and other diseases. This was a moving experience for her. Since then she has become an advocate for the improvement and betterment of needs of those in poverty, especially those living in Africa. After witnessing these needs first hand, Brittany set out to try to raise awareness in the United States and still continue to make an impact on those she grew close to in Africa.

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Measles is eradicated from the Westernized world, but in Africa this problem still kills more than AIDS totally 450,000 people each year. A vaccination only costs 89 cents. Help us solve this problem. Give Love A Shot! This program took place in the Governor's Room of the Student Union Building on February 9, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. The event lasted two hours. Personal stories about experiences in Africa working with in-need children highlighted the importance of raising money to contribute to the cause. Performances by campus groups of Unique Ensemble Gospel Choir, A Capella group Minor Detail, and the University Swingers Dance Team provided inspiration to enhance the ambiance while entertaining the large crowd. A representative from the American Red Cross informed the group about the high need and a short film discussing the measles problem across the globe was viewed. Finally, Brittany Harris told her story and distributed information about measles and how we as students could help solve this problem that does not affect us anymore, but our help is needed by our African neighbors. The message was heard by our campus because of the extra effort Brittany made to advertise. Personal invitations were sent to many faculty, staff, and administrators. Large banners, sandwich boards, sidewalk chalk, a newspaper article, and professional posters were used to notifiy students about the event. Many groups put on their own events to help raise awareness beforehand. Money was collected in residence hall dining halls for the entire week and a rave and craft night helped to raise additional money.

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The goal of this program was to raise money to eradicate measles from Africa. Our theme was to "be a part of the movement," we wanted the students of Truman to stop saying they wanted to impact the world - and actually have the opportunity to do it! The most important goal of this program was not about raising money, it was about awareness. It was about finally sending the message to the global community that Truman would not longer sit around and let 1,200 children die each day from a preventable disease. The goal of this program was to make people aware that a disease that kills zero people in the westernized world is destroying families, cultures, and socieites across the globe - and that it could be stopped.

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The program raised almost $2,000 helping leave a lasting impact in Africa. The awareness on our campus grew multiple times that. The distribution about the problem with measles globally helped spread the word amongest the Truman community about a problem that many were unaware of. In the United States we are isolated from global issues that our country has not had to deal with in many years. However, these issues are still alive and present in other countries and this program helped to inform students about that.

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The Truman community decided to "Give Love A Shot" and took the opportunity on the night of February 9th to challenge themselves. Every student, staff member, and faculty representative donated at least 89 cents and helped do their part to erradicate the measles problem. The goals of awareness were very well received and a great deal of information was distributed to the student body. The attendance goal was well over capacity. Finally, the significant amount of money raised to help treat those in need marks this program as a huge success.

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Despite the success of the program, the problem has not gone away. Every college campus has the ability to make a difference and do their part to "Give Love A Shot." The program is interchangeable to other campuses. All one has to do is having a passion for eradicating measles from Africa...and then do it! Numerous Websites, videos, and any information is easily assessible and can be utilized. It is important to plan ahead if one wants to really make it a success - these types of programs are not well attended unless advertisements and people talk up this program. The need is still there and every college campus has the opportunity to host an event to inform others about the global problem of measles, the low cost it takes to make a difference, and the rewarding experience to make a difference.

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