The Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run has arrived in Florida- the Sunshine state.
The Riverwalk Christian Academy was our first stop where we met with an enthusiastic peace-loving group of students and teachers. They joined in throughout our presentation and had very good suggestions of ways we can create peace in our daily lives.
Helping each other feel peace in the heart.
Adding to the millions of peace wishes that have already been made.
All the students at this school are doing a great job of spreading peace through their actions. The school had selected 2 students, Avi Willingham and Elizabeth Ojeda to receive the Torch-bearer award in recognition of their contribution to helping other students and creating peace within their community.
Pictured above is Felicia Lee, who along with Tiffany Watkins, both teachers at the school, also received the Torch bearer award. The students were delighted to see their teachers honored and both teachers spoke about how much they love working with their students and helping create a peaceful community in their lives.
Congratulations Tiffany!
Arpan played his harmonica as the torch led a run around the gym together.
Sarah Hunte, the school principal received our certificate of appreciation on behalf of the school. We left with new friendships and hope to come back to visit again.
These boys all wanted to race Stutisheel, our Ukranian runner.
Our tireless and ever cheerful co-ordinator for the Orlando area, Santiva with her good friend Nancy.
There are many Peace trees in the Orlando area which have been planted on previous Peace Runs. This one is on the shore of Lake Monroe and gives locals a beautiful setting to take a peaceful moment in their day.
We were led on our run by a dear friend and long-time supporter of the Peace Run, Fritz Voltaire. Fritz is the coach of Victory track club, who had won a big track meet last weekend, Congratulations to Fritz and his young athletes! We were honored to have Fritz join the team for the afternoon, he is a shining example of how one person can make a difference and has done so much in his community to improve the lives of those children who are fortunate enough to cross his path.
We arrived at the Jeff Triplett Community Center for a meeting with the children at their after school program.
Marina taught them our motto, "Peace begins with me."
Arpan led the children in learning the World Harmony Run song with actions.
Finding Ukraine on the map of the world.
We then were privileged to attend a meeting with parents, students and staff of the after school program. The motto printed on their shirts is, "It takes a village to raise a child." It's clear they are providing a nurturing, supportive environment for the children to grow in.
Lily Lakatani and Isaiah Taylor were chosen to receive the Torch bearer award for their example in helping other students
Rita Hallam and Rebecca Richey were also recipients. They both help the students with their reading, which is such a valuable skill for them and you could see that the students love the time they spend with them both. Ms Richey used to live in Jamaica, Queens where the Peace Run has its head office.
There was one last surprise award to Britt Henderson, the Director of the after school program. Britt said he cares for all the children there as if they were his own. Thank You to all the staff in this special program, we could feel how well supported the children were to flourish.
Lily and Britt with Santiva.
The children also had a performance for us, featuring wax models of famous people who worked throughout their lives for peace. The wax models were each brought to life to explain their work and how they had chosen peace. We really enjoyed this creative performance.
This girl portrayed Mother Teresa, another recipient of the Torch bearer award.
We were happy to have Ms Lisa Jones, director of parks and recreation for the city of Sanford hold the torch with us.
