“I first got involved with the Obama campaign in the fall of 2007. I was at an event and I put my name on a ticket when I walked in. A couple of days later I got a phone call. The person on the other line said, ‘Hey Becca, can you help Barack Obama become the President of the United States?’

“My jaw dropped as I thought, ‘How can I help Barack Obama become the President of the United States?’ But I said yes. Yes, I wanted to help elect someone I believed in to be the President of the United States.

“The following weekend I got in a car with six strangers and found myself in Christmas, Iowa, with simply no idea what I was getting myself into. I showed up at the office, they prepped me with materials, and they said, ‘All right, go knock on these doors and talk to voters about why you believe in Barack Obama.’

“So I was on my merry way in Christmas, Iowa, in November when snow was up to my knees, houses were miles apart, it was bitterly cold, and I was knocking on doors talking about Barack Obama. As I kept knocking, as I went from one door to the next, there started to be a little bit more of a pep to my step as it started to hit me: This is really cool.

“As I was knocking, I realized two very profound things: By asking me to be a part of his campaign, Barack Obama had empowered me to own a piece of it. The second thing I realized was that Barack Obama believed that everyone’s voice mattered and everyone should have a say in this country’s future.

“And that’s what this election is about—ensuring that everyone feels a part of our democracy, and that everyone can make a difference.

“When I got that phone call, I said ‘yes.’ I said 'yes' because I can help ensure that the leaders I believe in—President Obama and Vice President Biden—keep representing me and the values I care about.

“We can all help out, every little bit helps, and we can all make a difference.”

—Becca, Wisconsin

Volunteer