NON VIOLENCE DAY
NON VIOLENCE DAYIn the spring of 1996 six Optimist clubs ( Byron, East London, Middlesex-London, Oakridge, Southwest and Westmount) and six elementary schools were involved in a non-violent Poster Contest in co-operation with the London Family Court Clinic, Community Safety Officers from London Police, Jumbo Video and Pizza Hut.
Children were asked to draw a poster either individually or in a group depicting what violence means to them or what a non violent community would be like. The London Family Court Clinic provided us with a list of themes for ideas. In most schools, all the students participated and were divided into three groups primary, intermediate and senior. In each grouping, judges from the community including education trustees, representatives from Jumbo Video, Pizza Hut, principals, an art teacher and an O.A.C. student awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons which were just engraved Optimist International. All participants received a button in English or French stating you have the right to say no to violence or you have the right to stamp out violence.
The posters were on display at City Hall, Jumbo Video stores, Pizza Hut locations, White Oaks Mall, Respect for Law Banquet and the 3rd Quarter Board. This spring, the Bank of Montreal will also have space reserved to display the posters in their branches.
Each clubs' involvement entails selecting a school in their area, arranging three judges, and delivering the winning posters to be displayed at designated locations in their area. The poster contest runs in conjunction with the London Family Court Clinic Media Awareness Campaign usually the last two weeks of April, Optimist International Non-violent Day and if possible with the walk against violence and drugs.
When the project was coordinated in 1996, the cost to each club was $200.00 to cover the costs of the buttons and ribbons plus shipping. This project is a very worthwhile community project that can be low cost to the clubs. Some of our winners previously were students who have not qualified for either athletic or academic awards as the contest involves all children of public school age.
If you have any questions or would like to see the CPA booklet, please contact 679-9892 and leave a message if necessary.
EMAIL:
oakridge@execulink.com
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