Pennies for Peace

Dear peace community,

For the past two years, Lewis and Clark Elementary School, Lowell Elementary School, and a handful of schools outside the Missoula School district have been involved in the Pennies for Peace Project. The project, stemming from Greg Mortenson’s book Three Cups of Tea, was first implemented in a Wisconsin School as a way for children to collect pennies to help fund Mortenson’s Central Asia Institute. The institute helps build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Mortenson feels through education, especially in educating girls, extremist organizations in those countries will be less likely to entice young men to join their organizations.

During the summer of 2008, teachers at Lewis and Clark School and Lowell School who facilitated the Pennies for Peace project were approached by several former educators with the idea of expanding the project throughout the Five Valleys Area. After several meetings during the summer, the Five Valleys CAI was formed with the commitment of informing the community of the project and educating students in the wider community about the project. The committee is also dedicated to helping our young people understand the educational problems in those countries, as well as make a connection to the children of Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is also a hope of the committee to contact as many schools in the Five Valleys area about the project and have a community-wide Pennies for Peace drive with the goal of raising $50,000 to build an entire school.

As of this printing, 60 schools in the Five Valleys Area have made a commitment to the Pennies for Peace Project and Five Valleys CAI is waiting to hear from another 10 schools. It is our hope that money will be collected during the school year. In May, a final “Peace Fair” will culminate the project. The Fair is still in the planning stages, but will be at Caras Park on May 7th. Schools interested in participating will have the opportunity to make and sell artwork and baked goods as a final fundraiser for Pennies for Peace. A final check will be sent to CAI at the end of May.

If people are interested in getting involved with this project, they can contact the Five Valleys CAI through e-mail at 5valleys3cupsoftea@bresnan.net. There is also a pennies for peace jar at JRPC, so drop some change in on your next visit.

Jane McAllister

JRPC Member and Pennies For Peace Coordinator

Our Work is Just Beginning

Dear friends,
With the bone-chilling cold of late, it’s hard to believe that very soon the days will begin to lengthen. Sunday’s winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, the turning point from whence the sun’s light will grow stronger and brighter. It seems an apt metaphor for our political landscape – that with one cycle ending in January and another beginning, we hope to see the light of our country return to a brilliance and clarity not seen for some time.
Despite the impending administrative change, our work is not done. In a sense, it is just beginning, as now our work for peace will fall on more receptive ears. Here at the JRPC we need your support as much as ever. If you’re still searching for gifts for your loved ones this holiday season, please consider a gift membership – or one of the many wonderful items from our Fair Trade store.

Wishing you warmth and holiday cheer,
Kim Wishcamper
JPRC Coordinating Council

Voices for Peace

Dear friends,

          Not long ago the nation elected representatives on the bases of ending the war. Some 70% of this country believes that this war is a mistake, yet with the economy as the main diversion nothing is being done to cease this folly. The billions wasted and the thousands of lives ruined continues with only talk of change sometime in the future.  We must keep our voice loud and clear, and demand a quick end to this mistake also that it is not repeated elsewhere. Make your voice heard any way you can and plan to celebrate the new year with our community on Jan 1 at the peace park @1pm. for our  3rd new year of peace.  Bring a rock for the cairn & decorate it if you want with a sentiment meaningful to your search for peace!
     Thank You,

      Walter Honan

      JRPC Coordinating council

Missoula Women in Black

Dear Community….

Winter seems rich with coming together and celebrating the various December holidays. While outside it gets colder, we are warmed by the many lights and decorations that invite singing and warm gatherings. While we celebrate this December, I invite us each to remember our shared commitment to change. We are the ones, individually and collectively that make change happen. Sometimes our efforts may go unnoticed and other times it seems it takes so very long to simply feel heard. As we move about holiday parties and family gatherings, I encourage a moment of either quiet reflection or discussion, or both, of what you would like to see changed. What is it you are seeking in the new year?

For the past seven years the Missoula Women in Black have stood each friday on the Higgins Street Bridge bringing attention to long mourning of those harmed by violence. Each friday, dressed in black, the women remember the many who have died in wars, in homes, on the streets. They would like to see the end of violence. They would like to see families reunited and peace a familiar word in our homes and in our government. The Women in Black will continue to stand and while they may not see an immediate change, they know their actions are being seen and heard. You see and hear them. Thank you for your witnessing.

As we celebrate community, let us also celebrate change guided by peace.

Carel Schneider
Women in Black
JRPC Coordinating Council