In 2010, Boone and his late wife Shirley established the Pat Boone Family Life Center in Loiborsoit, Tanzania, in cooperation with GOD TV and WorldServe International, a non-profit organization committed to providing clean water, sanitation, education, and economic opportunities in Africa. Through Pat Boone World Missions, the couple provided foundational funding for a deep water well, a school, and The Shirley Boone Vegetable Garden, which continues to feed multiple villages. Their contributions have also helped develop a community center, offering critical health services to families in surrounding areas.

 

"Every year, over 100,000 lives are transformed through our large-scale, sustainable, solar-powered water projects. It's remarkable what happens when dedicated business leaders, professional athletes, government, and ministry leaders come together to make this happen," says WorldServe International president, John Bongiorno. "The impact of Pat and Shirley Boone's vision on everyday lives of the Maasai people is a testimony to their Christian faith and willingness to engage Pat's global audience for the good of others."

 

Following in the footsteps of “We Are the World,” which remains a global force for change 40 years later and has raised over $100 million, Boone hopes “ONE” will inspire a similar movement.

 

“There’s no better template to follow,” Boone adds.

 

Boone is joined on the “ONE” recording by an all-star lineup, including Alabama, Deborah Allen, Billy Dean, Larry Gatlin, Vince Gill, Aaron Goodvin, Lee Greenwood, David B. Hooten, Jet Jurgensmeyer, MARK209, Wendy Moten, Pam Tillis, and Due West. Included are Nashville’s Legacy Mission Village Singers—all refugees from Tanzania and Congo—and Tanzania-based Gospel artist Sebastian Silas & God Is Love, who recorded the song in their native Swahili language as “WAMOJA.” Nashville-based producer-arranger/musical director Jimmy Nichols and hit songwriter Frank Myers produced the “ONE” recording at Nashville studios Starstruck Entertainment and Blackbird Studio.

 

Photo Credits: Pat Boone Enterprises