September 2008

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$50,000 FOR PEACE

Imagine you have $50,000 that you want to spend or donate in some way to promote peace. How would you use this money to further the cause of peace?

That question is the theme of a new essay contest, “Write On Peace”, sponsored by the Interfaith Center for Peace and Justice (ICPJ). To help students entering the contest begin thinking about their essays, ICPJ wrote to role models - some whose celebrity allows them to speak to the nation or even to the world, and some who make a difference in smaller, quieter ways. We asked for their answers to our $50,000 question.

How would you use $50,000 to further the cause of peace? Tell us by filling out a Peace Check!

Responses from the role models we contacted addressed the need for peace in our world, in our nation, in our cities, in our neighborhoods, in our homes and within our selves. Here are comments we’ve received to date….

Former President Jimmy Carter writes: “I would spend the money on postage, sending personal letters to political leaders, newspaper editors, and others who can directly promote peace. Even some religious leaders need to be convinced.”

Kathleen Guidroz, Ph.D., a professor of sociology at Mount St. Mary’s University, suggests a donation to Invisible Children, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for war-affected children, including those who have been forced to fight as child soldiers.

Nancy Forgang, a past recipient of ICPJ’s annual Peacemaker Award, suggests a donation to St. George’s College Jerusalem. In response to concerns about the future of children in Israel and Palestine, this College established “Kids4Peace” programs that bring together children from both sides in activities focusing on education for peace.

Patricia Hammann, also a past recipient of ICPJ’s Peacemaker Award, suggests using the money to plant trees. Overpopulation throughout the world has placed tremendous stress on the environment. The need for natural resources is often a contributing factor in war. By restoring and protecting the environment, we contribute to the cause of peace.

Janet Powers, a recipient of ICPJ’s 1995 Peacemaker Award, and Professor Emeritus of Gettysburg College, suggests a donation to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) which helps children in developing countries.

Deb Yocum, Executive Director of the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County, suggests a donation to the Peace Corps. Peace Corps volunteers serve the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries.

Not surprisingly, Ron Tschetter, Director of the Peace Corps, echoed Deb’s suggestion!

Al Forte, a baseball fan who recently came through Gettysburg on a long-distance walking tour, would like to spend his $50,000 on Pray-For-Peace advertising on television and radio and in newspapers. Forte, who wears a “Pray for Peace” t-shirt, began his hike at Yankee Stadium. His destination is Major League Baseball parks in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit and finally Chicago. Along the way, he is encouraging people to pray for peace.

Anasazi Czar, a Gettysburg 4 th grader, suggests a donation to the SPCA. She says that the SPCA protects animals from violence. In addition, people who adopt pets from the SPCA often discover that animals bring happiness and peace to those who care for them.

Susan Russell, Ph.D., chair of the Gettysburg College Theatre Arts Department and author of the musical “Helen and Teacher” which premiered in March 2008 at the Majestic Theatre as a work in progress, suggests a donation to Doctors without Borders.

Eddy Rubin, Environmental Educator at Strawberry Hill Nature Center in Fairfield, suggests a donation to the Dalai Lama of a free, independent Tibet. The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people, leads a non-violent movement for Tibetan independence from China. He is the 1989 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

These additional suggestions came from adults in the ministry attending this summer’s Lay School at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg:

• Food and clothing for Sudan/Darfur refugees
• CeaseFire , a campaign to prevent gang violence in Chicago
• Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania, a health care advocacy program
• Compassion International, a child advocacy program dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty
• Heifer International helps impoverished families worldwide become more self-reliant through the gift of livestock and training in their care
• The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights works for justice, opportunity and peace in urban America. The Center promotes positive alternatives to violence and incarceration. Their goal is justice in the system, opportunity in our cities and peace on our streets.
• Missionaries of Charity, founded by Mother Teresa, provides care for the poorest of the poor including refugees, former prostitutes, the mentally ill, sick children, lepers, AIDS victims, the aged and convalescent. This order of Roman Catholic nuns operates in 133 countries.

Send us your Peace Check

Let us know how you would spend $50,000 to promote world peace. Click here to download the check, fill it out, and mail it to

Interfaith Center for Peace and Justice
P.O. Box 3134
Gettysburg, PA 17325

Or, you can email us at essays@icpj-gettysburg.org. Please put “Peace Check” in the subject line and include your name and the recipient of the $50,000 in the body of the email.

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Last updated September 9, 2008

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