When Sam was only 8 years old, he had a Disco Party for Peace to help children affected by war and violence. Sam was inspired at Sunday School where he drew a picture. AS I admired his work, his teacher asked him to tell us about his picture. He looked at the 2 of us and exclaimed, "It's a Disco Party for Peace!" I giggled. I told him I would go to a Disco Party for Peace and I would have fun! As we drove him, I probed Sam about his idea. " What we do at a Disco Party for Peace, Sam?" "We would raise money to stop ALL war." he replied. We discussed what a BIG goal this was and decided it may be too big a job for just us, but we could do our piece in creating a more peaceful world. Sam initially decided he wanted to raise $10,000.00 to help the children in Iraq and Sudan and to buy peace education materials for his HIlltop public school, Bryant Montessori. However, a month before the event, he watched a clip on Oprah about Liberian children orphaned by the Civil War. He turned to me and asked, "Can we raise our goal to $15,000.00 so that we can send money to those children, too?" I took a deep breath and said, "Sure, but we are going to need help."
Sam's friends helped him by making artwork that was sold at a Kids Helping Kids art sale at the Disco Part for Peace. The Sunday School classes created artwork for the event. 10 year old, Elise held a beading party. She and her friends made necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to do their part for Peace. Families made a Peace Gnome, peace necklaces, kids from Bryant Montessori made peace bowls, handmade cards, and a peace table and a neighboring school made a peace pole. Students from the local Universities offered their assistance in putting on the event.
Sam wrote letters inviting almost 40 politicians and celebrities to the event. His list included: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, Governor Gregoire, Dennis Kucinich, Mayor Baarsma, Norm Dicks, Superintendent Milligan, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Senator Debbie Regala, the Prime Minister of Australia, Ty Pennington, Ellen, Rosie, Oprah, Kelly Rippa, Regis Philban, The KOMO 4 News Team, Northwest Afternoon, Diane Sawyer, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Steve Martin, Robin Williams, Tima Allen, John Travolta, Jim Paige, Raffi, and the Wiggles. Senator Debbie Regala attended the event, Barack Obama had his staff call Sam and sent him a personal letter and Steve Martin sent Sam $100.00 towards his efforts.
As we prepared for the event, money started flowing in. When we sent our first check to JRS to help Sudanese Refugee children with school fees Sam was vibrating with excitement. “Those kids are going to be so excited, Mom. Let me show you how excited they will be…” He then drew a picture that had an outline of the United States and an outline of Africa. Up in the NW corner of the US was a stick figure of a boy holding his hand out giving the money. Then there was a picture of a plane flying from the US to Africa and then 3 stick children in Africa jumping up and down yelling “Yipee!!!"
Over 400 people attended the Disco Party for Peace on April 27, 2007. Over $15,300.00 was raised. This event was important because it educated others on the plight of children in our world, it brought families together to dance, create art and have fun together for a common purpose, and it allowed children to have an impact on their world. In his letter to politicians and celebrities Sam wrote, "I want to help these children because I think it is right. I want the children to know that I care about them." Amen, Sam, Amen.
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