USA 30 April: Orlando, FL
Letter to the runners from Florida Senator Bill Nelson.
What a day!
Four Florida Mayors officially proclaimed their support for the message of the World Harmony Run; in Orlando, Orange County, Sanford and Lake Mary.
It was also a record day for the Torch-Bearer Award programme. Nearly a dozen recipients were honoured for serving and enriching their communities.
Childrens' peace art was displayed at Orlando City Hall along with some of Sri Chinmoy's paintings, and we were invited to present a programme to at-risk youth at the County Sheriff's office.
The day started at Orlando City Hall with a World Harmony Run programme arranged by Nap Ford Community School. The school exhibited student artworks from a "Colours of Love" workshop facilitated by Donna Doweless.
Acrylic "Jharna-Kala" paintings by Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the World Harmony Run, were also exhibited temporarily for the benefit of visitors to Orlando City Hall.
Donna Dowles, Orlando's Ambassador of Love, conducted the ceremony
From left to right: Torch-Bearer Award recipients James Coffin (Executive Director, Interfaith Council of Central Florida); Orlando City Commissioner Tony Ortiz and Bassem Chaaban (Director, Islamic Society of Central Florida)
Left to right: Torch-Bearer Award recipients Lisa Early (Director of Families, Parks and Recreation in Orlando) and Brenda March (Children and Education Manager, Parramore Kidz Zone)
During the ceremony Commisioner Ortiz (right) presented a proclamation on behalf of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer in support of the World Harmony Run's 25 year efforts for peace. Marcia Goodwin (left) is Director of
Community Affairs in the city of Orlando. She also received a Torch-Bearer Award to recognise her outstanding service.
Mrs. Ashley Sanchez, a teacher at Nap Ford Community School
24 student ambassadors joined the team as we made our way to Nap Ford Community School
When we arrived we were greeted with music....
..poetry...
....and beautiful smiles
The teachers were just as enthusiastic as the kids
Now it was time to plant a tree for world harmony.
World Harmony Run volunteer Dave Morrison gets his hands dirty
A job well done!
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs proclaimed 30 April 2012 to be "World Harmony Day"
Front left to right: Mayor Jacobs with Cynthia (Santiva) Morrison and Dave Morrison, who successfully organised the World Harmony Run events in the Orlando area.
The runners pose with Mayor Jacobs
Tilvila Hurwitt of Tampa holds the torch and makes a wish for a perfect world
Our next stop was Sanford, a beautiful coastal city.
Some local students joined us in carrying the torch to Sanford City Hall
The Deputy Mayor Patty Mahany came out to meet us and read out the Mayoral proclamation on behalf of Sanford City, commending the efforts of the World Harmony Run to bring peace and goodwill to all communities
The next presentation took place at a juvenile justice educational program run by a nearby Sheriff. The students watched a video of highlights from the last 25 years and we introduced ourselves. It was obvious that some of the young people in the room had been through some tough times. By the end of our presentation, we were getting lots of interesting questions and comments. When we ask young children where in themselves peace, harmony, love and similar qualities come from - most of them invariably say 'heart'. The same was true of this group.
Blue Springs, where the team had a quick swim to freshen up for the events to come.
The community of Lake Mary City gets behind the World Harmony Run's 25th anniversary celebrations.
Local runners joined the team for a 2 mile jog to the Lake Mary event.
World Harmony Run Executive Director Salil Wilson joined the American team today, and dived immediately into action.
Front right: Lake Mary City Mayor David Mealor was overjoyed to receive the Torch-Bearer Award. Mayor Mealor officially proclaimed the city's support for the World Harmony Run's humble efforts.
Sheila Kramer, editor of "Lake Mary Life Magazine", nominated four of the awardees
From left to right: Torch-Bearer Award recipients Bill Vogel (Superintendent, Seminole County Public Schools), for supporting the arts in public education; Sarah Schwartz, a high school senior whose comedy troupe “Your Children You Never Knew,” brings much needed entertainment to elderly people in rest homes; Roxane Mann, whose creative fundraising has helped women's shelter SafeHouse stay afloat; Mayor David Mealor for many years of wonderful service; Rhonda Santolin, whose Bags of Hope programme feeds hundreds of underprivileged children in Florida; and Reverend Paul Hoyer of Holy Cross Lutheran Church for taking strong action to tackle poverty and homelessness in his community.
Lake Mary City planted a Peace Tree in a beautiful spot in the grounds of Lake Mary City Hall to help people reflect on how they can bring about peace
Let's not forget the local high school band, who provided a great soundtrack under the guidance of group director P.L. Malcolm
Thanks very much to Debra Clarke, for generously helping to refuel the runners at the Sweet Shoppe, Lake Mary City
It was a high-energy day of having fun and making friends....
Video Message from Davidson Hepburn, President (2009 - 2011) of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for 25th Anniversary of the World Harmony Run and a vision for the decade: "Toward a Oneness-World".
Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 25 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25
or Click on language button for separate youtube videos wth sub titles in varous languages
- Youtube video on African experience which illustrates IYY slogan "Our Year Our Voice" International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony. They surprisingly mention Presidents and UN Secretary-General in a unique way!
- Listen to the World-Harmony-Run song: 2 min version // 6 min
Distance: 4 miles
Team Members:
Atulya Berube (San Diego), Jagadhata Amrhien (Chicago), Teekhnata Berube (USA), Arpan DeAngelo (New York), Shobhavati Davies (New Zealand), Jana Duskova (Czech Republic), Tom McGuire (New Zealand), Katya Percheklii (Ukraine), Larissa Zub (Belarus), Zuzana Klaskova (Czech Republic), Matthias Eckerle (Germany), Salil Wilson (Australia), Priyala Carvalho (New Zealand)
Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.
Gallery: See more images!
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