Global Movement Spreads Bob Marley's Message of Unity and Peace, Encourages New Generation of "Young Gongs" to Change the World

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 7, 2010 -- Bob Marley believed he could make the world a better place through his music. Now, his heirs are working to multiply his good works through 1Love.org, a global social community to promote unity, peace and positive global change. 1Love.org-supported charities currently include The United National Environment Programme (UNEP), Charity: Water, Invisible Children, and the African Leadership Academy.

As part of the global movement, 1Love.org today unveiled two platforms that offer a new generation of "young gongs" a way to spread Bob Marley's message and strike the hammer for charities, causes and ideas that can change the world.

Doing Good: The Marley Missions

The Marley Missions is a project created by 1Love.org with a simple goal: to inspire Bob Marley fans everywhere - including more than 16 million fans on the official Bob Marley Facebook page -- to carry out one small act of love and kindness every day.  

Recommended Marley Missions will be advanced by members of the Marley family and by their extended family in the1Love.org community.  Marley Missions can include acts such as planting a small garden or painting a weathered fence, to tutoring a child or volunteering at a library, to sharing a meal and some music with a housebound neighbor.  Aggregated, these simple acts become powerful agents for change and for good.

The first Marley Mission - Play Music - is inspired by the words of Bob Marley himself: "When the music hits, you feel no pain."  To participate, 1Love.org community members are encouraged to tune their instruments, ready their voices and flip on their webcams to record themselves playing and singing the Bob Marley song that speaks to them most. 1Love.org members are then encouraged to upload their video to their 1Love.org profile and share their first Marley Mission through other social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

"While individual missions that comprise The Marley Missions may seem small, together they can add up to something very big that brings about real, positive, lasting change," said Cedella Marley, Bob Marley's daughter, on behalf of the family.  "Just as the gift in the message of our father's music does, grassroots activism in our digital and local communities can inspire people globally through shared attitudes, experiences and connections."

Giving Back: The 1Love.org Giving Center

In addition to doing and sharing good deeds, 1Love.org community members can contribute money to 1Love.org-supported charities through the 1Love.org Giving Center.  Gifts offered through the 1Love.org Giving Center are meant as a small gesture of appreciation to those who donate to one of the 1Love.org-supported charity partners with proceeds going directly to the charity that is meaningful to the participant.  Gift items will include shoes, bags, hats and accessories, all made with an emphasis on eco-friendly and environmentally responsible materials. 

At launch, when members contribute via the 1Love.org Giving Center to The United National Environment Programme (UNEP), Charity: Water, Invisible Children, or the African Leadership Academy, they will be eligible to receive thank you gifts, such as:

• WeWOOD light wood CRONO watch
• soleRebels Footwear, handcrafted, eco-sensible shoes produced in Ethiopia
• An autographed copy of "Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae" hardcover book featuring Kim Gottlieb-Walker's candid and intimate photographs taken from 1975-1976 with commentary from acclaimed rock journalist and director Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous)
• A custom Signature 1Love leather line from Roots
• Harmony and love candles by certified Feng Shui expert Anita Rosenberg, created exclusively for 1Love
• A seven wish hemp bracelet with silver 1Love and peace charms
• Silver charm necklace with 1Love, peace and planet charms
• Marley's Mellow Mood beverages in collectors wood box

"By introducing The Marley Missions and the 1Love.org Giving Center, we're giving Bob Marley fans and millions of others who believe in his enduring message a contemporary platform to spread positive, global change," said Donna Mastropasqua, executive director, 1Love.org.  "We believe 1Love.org can become one of the largest global communities for unity and peace, supporting hundreds of charities and amplifying an individual's power to give of their time, talent, money, kindness and love."

About 1Love.org

The epicenter of a global movement, 1Love.org is dedicated to spreading Bob Marley's message of unity and peace by lifting up a new generation of "young gongs" to strike the hammer for charities, causes and ideas that can change the world. 1Love.org is a not-for-profit business created with the Marley family, comprising Marley's 12 children and his widow, Rita Marley, to create awareness and a sustainable flow of contributions to benefit 1Love.org-supported charities that empower youth, protect our planet and encourage global peace.  For more information and to help create a more peaceful, clean and hopeful future, visit www.1Love.org.

SOURCE 1Love.org

RELATED LINKS: http://www.1Love.org