By Tim Leeds
Local residents are planning a community "Walk for Peace" and is asking everyone in Havre and the surrounding area to participate.
The event will raise money for the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Havre resident Bobbie Jo Lawrence and others have been working with the city of Havre, the Hill County Commission and the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce to plan the Walk for Peace fun run/walk and luncheon on Oct. 13.
Lawrence said she started planning the event on Sept. 18 when she called Havre Mayor Phyllis Leonard and Hill County Commissioner Kathy Bessette to ask "if we couldn't do something."
"Every time I watched TV, I just got sad and I thought our community should do something," she said.
She added that the planners want to involve everyone in the community, and are contacting schools up and down the Hi-Line to include their communities.
The planning for the event is not final, Lawrence said, but much of it is in place. People will make a donation of at least $5 to register for the walk/run, and can purchase T-shirts at an additional charge, which hasn't been set yet.
The walk/run will have two courses a one-mile and a three-mile. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., with a ceremony planned to start the event at 10 a.m. The walk/run will begin at 11 a.m., with a meal at the VFW Club afterward. Lawrence said the meal is still being planned.
The Havre Chamber is coordinating responses to questions about the walk. It can be reached at 265-4383.
Lawrence said a Walk for Peace Benefit Fund account has been set up at Bear Paw Credit Union, where she works. Checks for the fund should be made out to "Walk for Peace."
Registration forms are being designed and should be available Monday at the Chamber office and businesses in the community.
The United Way of Hill County is selling T-shirts at local businesses. The shirts, made by Master Sports, have "U.S.A." filled with the pattern of the American flag, "United We Stand/Montana's Hi-Line" and the date of the terrorist attacks printed on them. The shirts sell for $10, with $6 of each purchase going to the 2002 United Way of Hill County United campaign.
