Chandler RotaryClub And Kyrene de las Brisas Elementary Partner With Future Eagle Scout To Promote Peace In Schools With “Peace Pole Project”
April 22, 2013, Chandler, AZ – Chandler resident and member of Boy Scout Troop 172, Zachary Kelly, is partnering with his former elementary school, Brisas Elementary, and the Chandler Rotary Club to create a lasting tribute to peace in schools through the “Peace Pole Project”.
A “Peace Pole” is a hand-crafted monument that displays the message and prayer May Peace Prevail on Earth on each of its four sides, with the four most common languages of the students of Brisas Elementary. There are tens of thousands of Peace Poles in 180 countries all over the world dedicated as monuments to peace. They serve as constant reminders for us to visualize and pray for world peace.
As part of his Eagle Scout Service Project requirement, Zachary, along with volunteers from the Rotary, Brisas Elementary School, and the community will mount the pole and prepare a special walkway and area to showcase the school’s and community’s commitment to peace not only at Brisas Elementary School but throughout the world.
Kelly Ferguson, Chandler Rotary Club President, commented on the project, “The Rotary International Theme for 2012-2013 is ‘Peace Through Service’. Is there a better way to promote that then to implement a Peace Pole Project using community volunteers? We are very pleased we can collaborate with these other local organizations – Brisas Elementary, Kyrene School District, Boy Scouts of America and the Peace Pole Project – working together in service to create a symbol of Peace and Rotary International.”
ChristieWinkelmann, Principal of Brisas Elementary School, also commented on the project, “At Brisas, we recognize that our charge is to educate the whole child and lead our students to become responsible and productive citizens with strong character. Our goal is to empower students to become the leaders of tomorrow, who love learning, strive to reach their potential, and have PEACE in their hearts and minds. This Peace Pole will be a strong symbol of our dedication to that goal.“
Peace Pole Project activities include:
April 30th – A fundraiser and volunteer information party from 6:00-8:00 PM at Barros Pizza located at 8830 S. Kyrene Rd. #106 (Kyrene Rd. & Warner Rd.) in Tempe, Arizona. 20% of all food purchases will be donated to the Peace Pole Project.
May 11th-12th and May 17th-18th – Volunteers will meet at Brisas Elementary on 777 North Desert Breeze Blvd. in Chandler, Arizona starting at 12:00 PM to mount the Peace Pole, create the walkway around it and landscape the front of the school building.
May 20th – Brisas Elementary will host a Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony at 9:00 AM with the students and staff of Brisas Elementary, Chandler Rotary and community leaders. The community and media is welcome to attend.
