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The womens' team leaving our dear friends at Fullers Campground and hitting the road towards our first ceremony.
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Here we are waiting for some children to join us at a Peace Tree dedicated to the founder of The Camp, Harold J Davies Jr, who sadly passed away shortly after obtaining the property, with a moment of silence.
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We gathered to meet Monica Brown who has continued the vision of her late husband to create The Camp, which serves as a sanctuary for inner city children to experience an environment of peace and safety so they can be kids.
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A moments peace before starting our run with Pastor Walter Harris and day camp children from Carey Tercentenary AME Church leading the way. Also present from the church was Antoinette Walker.
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There are 11 Peace Trees, Oak and Maple, that are planted in this 40 acres of land. Each tree has an aphorism of Sri Chinmoy and dedicated to loved ones.
'Only the peace-dreamers, peace-lovers and peace-servers can transform the world' -Sri Chinmoy
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Marla Raggs, one of the Camp Directors, and also Monica's sister, holding the torch next to a Peace Tree dedicated to her beloved son.
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'Yesterday, I sowed faith-seed. Today I am discovering a beautiful and fruitful peace-tree.
-Sri Chinmoy
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All the children were in awe to find out that the run will take a full 4 months to complete its journey.
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This is one of many activities that children can do while spending their time here. Over the weekend, they can have up to 200 kids at the camp.
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It is a great pleasure to meet once again with the Boxing Off The Block team members. Pictured is Andrew. Thanks for your support!
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The Peace Run honored both Monica Brown and Darlene Shorter for their great service to the community. Monica Brown heads up one chapter of Safe Passage, an organization whose purpose is to provide adult accompaniment to children so that can cross territorial gang areas and go to school safely. She works closely with the Chicago Board of Education.
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Darlene Shorter, (left) assists Monica (on the right), in running the camp. She is also Administrative Assistant to the Principal at Faraday Elementary School, and responsible for the placement of 8 Peace Trees.
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The Mayor of Niles, Nick Shelton, kindly came along to The Summer Camp of the Niles-Buchanan YMCA and welcomed the team. He read out a Proclamation from the City honoring our presence and values and dedicating today as Peace Run Day.
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Enthusiastic rush for the Peace Torch- everyone wants to be part of the team- at least for a few steps!
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The staff members of YMCA are receiving the certificate of appreciate, for all the dedicated and hard job that they are doing in their daily activities with the kids. Thank you!
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We were happy to meet the children of the Boys and Girls Club of Kalamazoo. The activities are organized at Northeastern Elementary school.