"I have
decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a
burden to bear.”
- Martin
Luther King, Jr.
One year ago,
Echo Valley Hope embarked on an initiative entitled Peace
First & Ending War. Inspired by the work of Prem Rawat,
we held
the
understanding that peace must come within an individual and, from that
the
possibility of peace in our communities and in our world, can manifest
and flourish.
With that foundation,
we held events,
traveled to meet like-minded people and celebrated the joy of our
humanity and
the preciousness of each individual life on this our home, the
Earth.
Our journey
was shared by many old friends and many new, and
our calendar for 2012 represents the continued effort and the
celebration of peace.
You are welcome.
Special
thanks to the WWOOFers
who make their way here (from
all over the world) and are a big help in all of our activities.
Once
again we will be offering land to local
people to create a community garden. Preparations of the land will
begin in
March. Contact us if you are interested
in participating in this
program.
SHARING THE EARTH WITH OUR CHILDREN
In June and July, Echo Valley Hope will be
offering week-long programs for children and their parents, and giving
all an opportunity to explore nature, community and the possibility of
living in peace.
June 24
through July 8: Children ages 12 to 18 are invited to help
with green building projects, farm living, and the study of peace and
nonviolence. Limited to 10 children. Contact us for an application.
Scholarship money may be available for those in need. July 15
through July 22 and again July 29 through August 5:
Children ages 8 to 12 are invited to
help with green building projects, farm
living, and the study of peace and nonviolence. Limited to 6 children per week. Contact us for an application.
Scholarship money may be available for those in need.
Throughout the month of July, children under the age of 8 are welcome
to visit with adult supervision. Please call to confirm space for your
visit: 608.337.4871.
"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world
would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
SAVE THE DATE: 2012 AT A GLANCE
May 5 - Bringing It Home
Iraq veteran, singer / songwriter Jason Moon and friends perform
a benefit concert bringing awareness to the issues facing our veterans,
to the important activities of Veterans
for Peace and to Jason’s new
nonprofit, Warrior Songs, seeking to help veterans heal.
Additional performers TBA.
May 12 & 13
- West African Drumming Motherland
Rhythm
Community’s Helen Bond and Fodé Camara return
to Echo
Valley
for the third year, sharing the culture of Guinea, West Africa.
Schedule of drumming classes TBA.
July 7 - There is Enough The Tillers
and Mark Utley of Magnolia Mountain return to our
stage
and we enjoy the Roe Family
Singers Echo Valley debut.
Benefit concert proceeds will go to local food pantries and senior food
programs.
August 3 & 4
- Widening the Circle
Echo Valley Hope’s signature event
featuring 2 days of great music, great food and local artisans.
This
year’s benefit will help create a local food processing kitchen
for people in the area.
September 1 & 2 -
Celebration
of UN
International Day(s)
of Peace
This multi-media event will kick off what we hope to
be a traveling celebration of peace throughout the Midwest.
More TBA.
October - Harvest Festival
Giving thanks and preparing for winter. Always
fun. Date and details TBA.
WAGING
PEACE
January 21, beginning at 9:00
a.m. (Central) - Global Days of
Listening Listen to and talk about what it is
like to live in war-torn countries & about the wish to live
without wars.
Click here to learn more about these
important calls among ordinary human beings.
January 28, 2:00 p.m.
- Screening of The Last
Mountain Echo Valley
welcomes you to the free screening of The Last Mountain,
a compelling environmental documentary on the people of Coal River
Valley, West Virginia and their efforts to save their homeland. For
more information, visit I Love Mountains. Click here for directions. For
more on the screening, contact Echo Valley Farm at
608.337.4578.
February 3, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- NOT ABOUT
BOMBSOpening
Reception
The Iraqi American
Reconciliation Projectand
Intermedia Arts present a powerful and engaging collection of
contemporary works by eminent female Iraqi artists exploring an
identity in flux. This exhibit
will not be what you expect. It is not about war. It is not about Iraq.
It presents contemporary art by Iraqi women, but mainly in an attempt
to deliberately explore and challenge expectations.
This exhibit runs through March 3. Click here
for more information on this event.
February
19, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Sowing the Seeds of Peace and Justice Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice
hosts this free, family friendly, community building event at
Goodman Community Center in Madison.
Enjoy a delicious potluck and live music. Click here
for more information on this event.
Water for Peace
For the third year, Echo Valley Hope will contribute to the Iraqi American
Reconciliation Project’s Water
for Peace program. Water filtration systems employed in
schools and hospitals help bring clean water to people victimized by
war.
Penokee Hills Education Project Watch this video to help understand
the Penokee mine issues:
ECHO
VALLEY HOPE Let
Kindness Win
We receive no
government grants or corporate funding. We rely on
individuals like you for support. With low overhead and all-volunteer
efforts, your tax-deductible donations will be applied to programs
advancing sustainable living and to promote initiatives of peace.
Our
financial goal this year is to raise $25,000 for our educational and
charitable work.
Thank you for your continued support.
To make a donation:
Send a
check or money order to:
Echo Valley Hope, Inc., E 14604 County Rd.
F, Ontario, WI 54651,
