Inspired by local relief efforts, the Minnesota-based American Refugee Committee Tuesday announced a global grass-roots effort to address famine in Somalia.

WHAT IT IS

A "do-it-yourself" campaign called I AM A STAR that aims to use individual ideas and social networking to spread famine-relief efforts worldwide.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"I AM A STAR addresses famine relief in a fresh and uplifting way," said Daniel Wordsworth, president of the American Refugee Committee (ARC). "It's rooted in the Minnesota Somali community's leadership and passion for change and the American Refugee Committee's experience and expertise--and it makes room for the solidarity and creativity of motivated people everywhere."

WHAT IT INCLUDES

• An interactive website (www.IAMASTAR.org) allows people to share ideas. It also offers suggestions for how one can "Be a Star for Somalia"-- from Tweeting or blogging to organizing car washes and fundraisers to lobbying.

• A video featuring members of the Minnesota Somali community and other Minnesotans who have taken action locally, as well as footage of ARC relief efforts in Mogadishu.

WHO IS INVOLVED

• Somali Student Association/University of Minnesota: A group that encourages Somali-American high school students to seek higher education and promotes Somali culture.

• Hope to End Hunger: A group of Somali-American students from Minnesota who organized fundraisers to support famine relief.

WHAT'S NEXT

A group of Minnesota college students are organizing Run to Unite, a 5K run/walk at 10:30 a.m. Sunday in Minneapolis. Details are available at www.runtounite.com.