By Tim Leeds
Plans are in place for the community Walk for Peace on Saturday, with an opening ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Hill County Courthouse.
Bobbie Jo Lawrence, one of the organizers of the event, said T-shirts for the walk are now available and can be obtained prior to the walk. A barbecue luncheon will follow the event at the VFW Club.
There are about 30 people registered for the walk so far, Lawrence said, and she encourages people to preregister so they won't have to wait in line to register on Saturday. Registration begins Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Courthouse.
Registration costs $5, with a short-sleeved shirt costing an additional $10 and a long-sleeved shirt an additional $15. The luncheon at the VFW is $4.
The shirts, made by Master Sports, have a map of the United States printed on them with an arrow labeled "Havre" pointing to a star on the map at Havre's location and "September 11, 2001" printed on them.
All proceeds from the fund-raiser will go the United Way September 11th Fund, for relief efforts for the victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
The walk has a one-mile and a three-mile course, both of which go through downtown Havre and end at the VFW Club. The luncheon at the club will offer hamburgers, hot dogs, potato and macaroni salads and desserts.
Lawrence said the name of the walk has nothing to do with support or opposition to military action by the United States. "Walk for Peace" was selected as the name before the attacks on the Taliban in Afghanistan began Sunday. The organizers chose the name because they hope the victims of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 are able to find peace in their lives, she said.
For more information about the Walk, call the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce at 265-4383.
Other fund-raising efforts continue in Havre to help victims of the terrorist attacks. Carol Gabrielson said she has met her goal of donating $1,000 to the American Red Cross relief fund for the terrorist attacks from the sale of commemorative pins she is making. She now has a goal of getting the pins into every state.
Pins made by Gabrielson are now in 13 states that she knows of, and in Canada and New Zealand, she said.
Gabrielson said she greatly appreciated the support she has received. Local businesses are helping to paint and sell the pins, which are available for $2 each, and family and friends are also helping to make them. The pins are being sold at the Carousel in the Atrium, the Rose Garden, the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce and by Gabrielson herself.
Gabrielson said she has made about 700 pins already, some in the shape of hearts painted red, white and blue, some in the shape of American flags. She plans to keep making and selling the pins as long as anyone wants them. All proceeds go to the American Red Cross.
For more information, call Gabrielson at 265-3006.
