LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Contacting Congressional leaders has positive impact

To the Editor

On average, people estimate that 25 percent of the U.S. federal budget goes to foreign aid. In reality, it is less than 1 percent.

Even as our own issues seem highly pressing, we should take a step back and help the world’s poorest communities. In the United States, we have an absolute ability to help those in need outside of our borders. With this ability, we have a moral obligation to do so.

I am a Project Ambassador with the Borgen Project, an organization using advocacy, mobilization and education to achieve our ultimate goal: ending global poverty. As Americans, a huge way we can help is to contact our congressional leaders. It is not uncommon for a leader to outwardly support a bill after just seven emails regarding an issue. With enough congressional support, these bills turn into laws, become implemented at the ground level, and benefit millions of people in need.

Most Americans don’t realize how much a small group can influence our government. A handful of emails can contribute to turning bills into constructive laws. Visit https://borgenproject.org/action-center/ to email Congress now. There are many bills to support that would help in various ways.

Campbell Schoenfeld

Tonawanda, N.Y.