September 11, 2007

Two Communities Commemorate 9/11 with Roots of Peace Penny Campaign Events.

First Event on Sept. 11, 2007:

Where: San Rafael, California--San Rafael High School gym, 185 Mission Avenue

When: 1:55-2:40 PM —Media Invited

San Rafael High School (SRHS) will host a special student assembly to honor the memory of those lost on “9/11,” recognize the everyday heroic efforts of local police and fire departments and kick-off the annual Roots of Peace Penny Campaign to raise money to help remove landmines in war-torn countries and build safe schools and playing fields.

Hollywood celebrity Diane Baker, members of Pablo Cruise Band, and city dignitaries will take part in the ceremony. Nearly 1,000 SRHS students, many who came to the U.S. from the mine-affected countries in Central America and Southeast Asia, will explore the landmine issue in post-conflict countries such as Afghanistan, while collecting pennies for this peaceful mission.

“It is a great honor to take part in supporting peace worldwide and to have our diverse student body, so representative of the world, launch this noteworthy campaign on September 11th,” said Judith Colton, Principal at San Rafael High School.

Second Event on Sept. 11, 2007:

Where: St. Helena, California--Lyman Park, Main Street—“ Mines to Vines”

When: 6:00 PM—Media Invited

The community of St. Helena will host a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony with special recognition of the St. Helena firefighters and policeman and a kick-off of the Roots of Peace Penny Campaign. Attending will be Mayor Del Britton and legendary vintners Robert and Margrit Mondavi and Mike Grgich, who have supported Roots of Peace since its inception in 1997.

The MINES to VINES initiative has helped to replace the scourge of landmines with the nectar of grapes as a tangible way to restore economic vitality to war-torn countries. Baskets of fresh grapes will be presented by vintners, families, and civic leaders in a symbolic call to action to transform the “seeds of terror” into “seeds of hope” during an Interfaith “Blessing of the Grapes.”