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After the losing a family member and many fellow Americans on 9/11 and our U.S. subsequent involvement in Iraq, I began asking the question in earnest what could I do to bring about positive change? In 2003 I founded the Peace Planet Project, dedicated to connecting and supporting the many dedicated people and organizations working tirelessly for peace and the well-being of our planet. In 2005, I began thinking about the need for a global declaration of peace, to inspire and uplift humanity...but how could one possibly include all the exquisite diversity that is Planet Earth? The Peace Planet Proclamation came to me in the middle of the night and since then it has made it's way around the world many times and will be available in 14 different languages. Quite spontaneously, various groups and organizations began asking to use the Proclamation for fund-raising. In a two week period of time 3 youth groups in Florida, New York and New Jersey brought in $2500. each, ( total $7500.) which definitely got our attention! In an era of yardsales, candy selling, and auction burnout this was an effortless way to raise funds while raising the awareness of the practice of peace.

In 2008, in collaboration with the Portland based Charitable Partnership Fund my two partners and I created the Peace Planet Foundation. An innovative new model, our aim is to create an endless spiral of giving by creating micro grants called Peace Planet Awards based on the huge success of micro loans. (see www.peaceplanetproject.com for more info).

A million dollars given to the Peace Planet Foundation would not only be tax-deductable, it would help us in a profound way to help many others through local, national, and international micro grants. Sometimes a small amount can make a world of difference!

"It is time to lay our hands on the hearts of our children and promise to practice the peace that brings vitality and beauty to the Earth for all the generations to come." from the Peace Planet Proclamation

posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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