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EMBRACING OUR WORLD

Peace Prayer Project
Peace Prayer Recipients
Charitable Giving
Upcoming Events

March is Women's History Month.
During this month, we urge you to take time to thank those women who have impacted your life.

Peace Prayer Project

In alliance with people all over the world who are praying for Peace on Earth, we have launched the Peace Prayer Project. We are giving away 50 Peace Prayer pendants in honor of people who are embracing peace in their everyday lives. The first 50 suggestions will be sent a Peace Prayer pendant along with a note of acknowledgement.

These recipients may be quietly, visibly living a peace-centered life or choosing to speak up and take bold action. You may suggest a friend, colleague, sister... anyone you know or know of. We want to hear your story of how this person inspires you.

To participate, please send an email to info@krobinsdesigns.com with the following information:

  • your story
  • the suggested recipient's name and shipping address
  • your phone number.
You may remain publicly anonymous if you prefer, but we want to hear about you and why you are suggesting this individual. We would love photos if you have them to share.

We are excited about our Peace Prayer Project, hoping that eventually it will grow into a larger initiative that will truly make a difference. Over the years K has given Peace Prayers to many people in gratitude for their inspired actions for peace. We hope that you will take this opportunity to help her widen the Circle of Peace.

 DC - Peace Project Recipient

Peace Prayer Recipients

This is DC. "I met her at the Michigan Women's Music Festival. With eyes twinkling and much laughter, DC told me about the street theater she does all over the country for peace and justice. Of course, I had to give her a Peace Prayer Pendant right then and there. She inspired me to begin the Peace Prayer Project." K

DC works with the organization Sevya which means 'caring through service; caring for humanity and for the environment we live in.' It is dedicated to preserving the indigenous art forms of India by supporting the artisan communities who uphold these traditions.

Judy Enzig would like to honor Craig Newmark of www.craigslist.org along with his CEO Jim Buckmaster. Judy says,"...Craig could be a billionaire by now but he has chosen not to make money but to create a safe place for the people of the world to trust each other and connect. He won't sell out his community. He just gets money from some employer postings; the rest is free. He's an anomaly in the world of websites. He has a non-profit branch where he gives away money to good causes. He's like Don Quixote, fighting the bad and standing up for the good, tirelessly working constantly. He's so deserving. I'm always trying to figure out how to give back to him because of all the ways that he's helped and blessed my life through his site. I've watched people pay tribute to him for how he's transformed their lives. He's the wizard behind the curtain, quietly creating the structure of the world we want. Judy also says, " It is Jim who advocates for the use of the peace symbol on their site. " Thanks so much Craig and Jim!

Pearl Weinstein is nominated her sister-in-law Judy Cohen. Judy is on the board for Volunteers for Peace. She has long been connected with the helping and healing professions. She is a Special Education counselor and teaches yoga classes in her community. She facillitates workcamps for VFP and has traveled extensively doing work in, to name a few places, Cambodia, Russia, Germany, France, Vietnam and Dominican Republic.

Amy nominated Lisa for her tireless work with inner-city Latino teens in Los Angeles. Amy says, "Lisa is doing her best to promote peace and create better global citizens in her classroom by teaching English studies through lessons in tolerance. They read books and write papers about people who have been discriminated against. She is truly trying to make the world a better, more peaceful place one student at a time."

Anthony Gomes - Peace Prayer recipient


Anthony Gomes
is a blues/rock/indi artist whose motto is "Music can change the world!"

"His desire for peace, harmony and love for humankind is evident in his songwriting...He truely lives his message in his daily life and interactions with others."
Julie Henley

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Lynn G. wants us to send a Peace Prayer pendant to a dear friend. They both are disabled from CFIDS and fibromyalgia. Their story takes them constantly to some hard places that most of us are spared but all delve into at some time and to some degree. Lynn's friend seems to be the kind who loves all and is finding her walk on this planet to be full of riddles yet she keeps her hope, faith and peaceful spirit alive.

Susan Madigan Shaw shared with us the story of her Aunt Kim Wright, her hero and best friend. Susan, who lost her mother just a year ago, found her Aunt to be one who could travel 12 hours each way to be with her as she cared for her mom and children then return home to her job and own family. "We laughed, we cried, and she stood up when no one else would. She is my hero and I am so blessed to have her as my Aunt and best friend."

Gail Wood nominted her dear friend and co-worker Melody Benn for a Peace Prayer pendant in honor of her resilient and courageous spirit. Gail shared Melody's story of hardship and injury and the remarkable grace with which she handled her difficult challenges. Gail says that even through extreme hardships, Melody remained "an endearing, positive and delightful person"...who "follows her own star and shines brightly through her smile and accepting nature."

April Bell recounted Tracy Scott's story of hardship, telling us about the remarkable grace with which he is handling his difficult situation. She says that Tracy "is always so positive and uplifted - fighting an uphill battle in an ice storm with one flip flop hanging." She says that Tracy has been her teacher and has given her reason to continue her fight with the system. "He spends his days in a very dark place he calls the sea of madness, yet gets up everyday and makes it the best day he can by shining his light."

Laura Maglio would like to honor her best friend and Reiki partner, Theresa Sarin. Laura says, "Theresa inspires me and many others daily. Theresa has been a Reiki Master and Karuna Reiki Master Teacher since 1985. She is a Healing Circle and Meditation Facilitator and Certified Angelic Energy Healer/Teacher. Theresa is truly a beautiful person who has a pure consciousness of peace. In a simple and extraordinarily ordinary way she teaches and helps others onto higher and peaceful paths. Her presence be it with her 1st grade students, adult students, family and friends makes a true impact as she is always Light, always Love and always Peace ..setting an example by helping make the world brighter with her amazing Light....I am thankful to have her in my life....She is an amazing peacemaker...".

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Karen Kotlar is honoring Karen Mihalyi who has been working for peace and justice for years and years in the Syracuse community in central NY. Her most visible accomplishment is the Syracuse Community Choir, a peace and justice choir, established over 20 years ago and still going strong. The stated mission of the choir is - to provide an opportunity for all people to sing music that

Promotes peace, freedom and justice
Addresses issues of oppression such as racism, sexism or homophobia
Provides inspiration and vision for change in the world
Performs and promotes this music in the greater community
The overall goal of the choir is to sound good, have fun, & love each other and the world well.

"Each year the choir celebrates each solstice with a community celebration - we just had our winter solstice concert last night. This year the focus was on ending the war in Iraq - last spring the focus was on keeping the Earth's water clean. The choir is committed to creating a diverse and welcoming group of people, bringing together those who are differently abled, the Onondaga Nation, African American, Latino, GLBT and other communities, and events highlight the strength of that diversity. Karen and the choir have built an active alliance with the Onondaga Nation, our neighbors and caretakers of the land and water in our area. It was Karen's vision that began the choir 21 years ago and it is Karen's skill and inspiration that motivate and provide the opportunity for all of us to be a part of a group that speaks to our ideals and to promote those ideals within our larger community."

"I've been a choir member for the past 5 years although I've attended the solstice celebrations for much longer. I feel quite blessed to be a part of this group of people and although it is the entire group that carries the message, it is Karen who is the force behind us all. Thanks for your Peace Project - individuals who contribute so much to peace and justice rarely get the recognition they deserve. "

Kerri Schuiling is nominating Eileen Smit RN, MSN. "Eileen is a long time nursing faculty member here at Northern Michigan University in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Eileen is well known and respected because of her respect for others and other cultures, for her sense of equity and fairness and her unquestioned dedication to making this world a better place. To that end, she worked diligently along with another NMU faculty member, Mary Jane Tremethick (not a nurse)to make it possible for nursing students to go with her to Honduras in a service learning enterprise. The students’ first trip was this past spring and they can only describe the experience as life changing. Eileen’s gentle and quiet ways, her respectfulness to people of all cultures and her goals for peace are always visible..always visible. She is always true to her core values and she works diligently to bring about a better world through peaceful interactions, dedicated work to help others and commitment to helping nursing and other students understand by doing. The Honduras service learning project is now an integral component of our nursing program because of Eileen."

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Mishelle Bakewell has nominated Pamela Dazey to be the recipient of our Peace Prayer project. This is what she wrote about her best friend: "Pam deserves the Peace Prayer symbol because of her dedication to protesting the war every Sunday night carrying peace signs and marching. She is out in all kinds of Michigan weather with the small band of Peacekeepers from the Grand Haven area who quietly but surely makes their voices known concerning the War. Three years ago Pam couldn’t get out of bed because she had a severe reaction to multiple chemical sensitivities. She was literally bed-ridden for awhile. Through much education and perseverance she moved from being a reclusive shut-in to saving her life from her allergic reactions to car fumes, fragrances, and chemical smells to being able to stand out on a busy Michigan street corner to promote World Peace. She recently attended a march in Washington DC with thousands of other Peacekeepers when President Bush made his troop escalation idea known. I give her so much credit for standing on the corner every Sunday night with her small band of friends along with the Peacekeeper mission to Washington DC. I tell her I am proud of her and offered support all along the way, but she has overcome many obstacles and chooses to live her life promoting peace, healing others and being an all around Great Person.

Through Pam’s illness she educated herself on vitamins, nutrition and learning how to heal oneself through those modalities and others. After she was well enough to leave her house, her first job was a manager of a health food store in Grand Haven, Michigan. She consulted with a wide variety of people who are also trying to take care of themselves beyond traditional medicine. She taught people about vitamins and herbs, massage and Reiki, etc. Now she is a massage therapist and a reflexologist. She is an intuitive healer and has a very warm, nurturing demeanor that allows people to feel comfortable with her. Many women especially are attracted to her and she has helped many who suffer with residual effects of sexual abuse and other issues that eventually manifest in poor health. Besides, she is one of the funniest people ever! She is truly an 'Earth Mother'."

Janice Schuster has nominated Debby Volenec as recipient of the Peace Prayer Project. Debby is a breast cancer survivor who gives of herself constantly for the well-being of others. She has organized a Walk for Life Relay in her community. She has also created a wailing wall of sorts to honor those soldiers killed in the war. A small strip of fabric with the soldier's name on it is attached to the fence around her house as a special remembrance of their sacrifice. Debby is completely committed to peace and carries that energy into every interaction she has with others. Recently she organized a local event call "the clay bowl luncheon" designed to raise money for the local women's shelter for victims of domestic violence.

Janice says, "Debby is a friend who is always there to help without being asked. She is the most down-to-earth and caring person that I know. She has given so much of herself to our circle of friends and has fostered the bonding of some women with very diverse personalities and lives. She has helped us to find common ground and to appreciate our uniqueness as well."

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Susan Ocean has nominated Michael Franti to the Peace Prayer Project for his awe inspiring work toward peace and love. She says that his work is all about acceptance, love, respect and peace - spreading this message with music, which he says everyone deserves.
He started a "Power to the Peaceful" concern in San Francisco that he is taking to Brazil. He also created a documentary, "I Know I'm Not Alone". In this he travels to Baghdad, Palestine and Israel to educate about people's human-ness, no matter where they are born. His work is positive and uplifting and makes you want to sing and dance while learning about war and how awful it is. He has created a children's book that teaches differences and acceptance of self called, "What I Be". He travels to teach the world and spread positive energy. After each of his shows, book signings or readings, he talks to each person and hugs them (a real, honest, good hug). He makes time for everyone who wants to talk to him, no matter how long it takes. He really listens and loves. His energy is beautiful and huge. Michael Franti - Peace Prayer recipient He is intelligent and consciously aware of issues that so many remain ignorant of. He went on a personal vigil by not wearing shoes for a couple of days to think about the large gap between the countries that can afford to purchase shoes and the countries where they are making the shoes but can not afford to buy them. That was in 2000. He is still barefoot. This sounds crazy to some but he understands the huge inconsistencies in the world and works hard and gives of himself to do something about them.

I'm reminded of a quote that I heard in a documentary about Ram Dass. One of Ram Dass's colleagues was speaking of their guru in India: "What staggered me is not that he loved everybody, but that when I was sitting in front of him, I loved everybody. That was the hardest thing for me to understand. How he could so totally transform the spirit of people who were with him and bring out not just the best in us, but something that wasn't even in us - we didn't know. I don't think any of us were ever as good or as pure or as loving in our whole life as we were when we were sitting in front of him."

That is exactly how I feel at one of his shows. And this is how everyone I've turned on to his music feels too. He has changed our lives. He has raised our awareness. He has shown us love and respect, simply because we are beings. His work is amazing.

Sidney Lockaby (better known as K's sister!) is spending much of her time these days volunteering with an organization in Charlotte, NC that builds bridges across faiths, races, cultures, and ethnicities.

"At a recent opening of an art exhibit called 'Children of Jerusalem' which was co-sonsored by this organization, there were two powerful speakers, Robi Damelin and Mazen Farej. I also had an opportunity to have breakfast with them the next day. Robi is a Jewish Israeli who lost her only son to a Palestinian sniper. Mazen is a young Palestinian Muslim, living in a refugee camp, who has lost his father because of the conflict. They are both members of 'The Parents Circle-Families Forum - Bereaved Families Supporting Peace, Reconciliation and Tolerance'. Robi travels extensively throughout the world, speaking provocatively to both ordinary citizens and government bodies about bringing reconciliation to this fragile region of our world. It was Mazen's first time to the United States. Obviously it is much harder for him to leave the area. Their braveness, dedication, and passion are awe-inspiring. I hope you will visit their website www.theparentscircle.org to find out more about their strive for peace against seemingly overwhelming odds."

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Note About Charitable Contributions

K Robins Designs is committed to supporting worthy causes that encourage others to learn and care for each other. Even though we are a small business, we believe that every voice counts and every contribution is meaningful. Some of the causes and organizations we have supported include Susan G. Komen, Breast Cancer Fund, Tsunami relief , V-Day and the Vagina Monologues, Shelter for Battered Women, Code Pink, Ovarian Cancer research, AIDS/HIV services, Women's History Month and others.

Thanks to your help during the month of October, K Robins Designs was able to donate $106.85 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Save the Children was sent a donation from K Robins Designs for $161.20 in honor of Leila and Pete and the Friendship Knot inspired by their love and work with children.

The Bellur Trust Fund received a donation of $262.64 from K Robins Designs in honor of our dear friend Sandra and with thanks to you for purchasing the yoga designs that she has inspired.

Our Link List

Please check out our Links page. We think you will find these sites worth your while to visit and support.

UPCOMING EVENTS

K Robins symbolic jewelry will be available at the following upcoming events:

Celebrating 20 Years
June 12 - 15, 2008

(www.womongathering.org)

See you there!

The 32nd anniversary of the
Michigan Women's Music Festival
(www.michfest.com)
August 5 - 10, 2008

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