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Community Corner

Random Acts Of Peace Takes Over Of The Community

The Peace Out group begins a movement and inspires Fircrest's mayor to declare Sunday the community's "Random Acts Of Peace Day."

One thing was clear as I entered Fircrest Pavilion Park on Sunday: the Peace Out organization has gotten people's attention.

And you can bet that with the first official Random Acts of Peace Day, announced officially by Fircrest Mayor David Viafore, the Peace Out movement will only continue to grow.

Earlier this year, our own Marion Lybbert featured the Peace Out kids as our (s) of the week here on Patch. These kids, led by the amazing McLeans, are doing great things for their community, raising funds and increasing recognition for local nonprofits for different causes.

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"But what are these Random Acts of Peace?," you ask.

Others were asking the same thing as we joined the group on a sunny afternoon in the park. RAP is a movement to encourage community building, good deeds and helping thy neighbor in pay-it-forwared-esque style. Numbered cards were handed to attendees (and in many instances mailed to loved ones across the U.S and overseas).  These cards, passed along with your good deed, state:

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" Lending a hand - Sparing some change - Giving a kind word - Picking up a tab -  Helping someone with their homework - Anything that spreads peace!!"

Yes, it is that easy to make a positive change in someone's day.  

Mayor Viafore, donning a "I " heart" Peace Out" tee, kicked things off by speaking of community, the importance of volunteering and having Peace Out students introduce themselves to the crowd. Police Chief John Cheesman then took the mic and shared a heartfelt story from his own childhood about a boy, his prized plane and the difference an act of kindness from a police officer made in his life.

He then told the story from the plaque he received as a gift, The Starfish Story, that truly conveys how easy it is to make a difference as an individual.

It was enough to bring a tear to my eye, not only because I am such a sucker for a good story. An overwhelming sense of pride overcame me when I thought about what this group of people are about, the differences that they make.

Here I am, a tiny participant in this community.

It wasn't all community pride and stories that tugged at the heartstrings. The kids, er, young adults, kept it sassy and fun by singing their rendition of "Teach Me How To Dougie, " (for those lacking in the hip factor as I am myself look it up on YouTube). Their performance was called, "Teach Me How to Give." Fun, dancing and rapping ensued. To the beat, "Hey Chief can you teach me how to give? You know why? Cause it's how I wanna live!"

You can read stories of how folks received their cards and what they did to pass it on, on the Peace Out website, mypeaceout.org.

Keep your eyes out for those tiny little cards of good deeds. If you are lucky enough to get one, I'm certain that it will not only bring a smile to your face, but it may inspire you to pass on your own random act of peace.

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