Monroeville Rotary marks International Day of Peace

Leslie Savisky
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 2:48 p.m. | Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024 2:48 p.m.

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courtesy of Susan DeLaney

Gateway’s University Park and Ramsey Elementary students designed peace quilts for the event.

courtesy of Susan DeLaney

East End Kids performers (from left, kneeling) Joanna Van Soest, Gabrielle Gressem, Jordin Burgh and Damsntha Burgh, dancers Sophia Pozek and Parker Abel; (kneeling) Thaman Yadlapalli, Nathan Malley, Abiram Yadlapalli and Prem Nadesan; and singer Jayla Chase.

courtesy of Susan DeLaney

Gateway High School Robotics Club members (from left) sophomore Emma Parrish, advisor Sean McMahon, senior Prince Sadam and volunteer coach Jasdeep Sadam.

courtesy of Susan DeLaney

From left, Pittsburgh Builds Bridges Coordinator Ebtehal Badawi; Edgewood Councilwoman and Rotarian Bhavini Patel; Adil Abdullahi from the Monroeville Muslim Center; Trinidad flutist Gemma Stemley; Rotary program coordinator Susan DeLaney; Monroeville Rotarian Mohammed Idrees; and Rotary District Gov. 7305 Dan Dougherty.

courtesy of Susan DeLaney

Monroeville Mayor Nick Gresock and Rotary project chair Susan Delaney.

courtesy of Susan DeLaney

“East End Kids is filled with a population of students from many districts who come together to celebrate each other’s talents and diversity, while serving the local communities,” assistant director Mary Chase said.

In honor of World Peace Day, Monroeville Rotary held its fifth annual International Day of Peace Program on Sept. 21, along with its first 5K Run Walk, at Monroeville Community Park West.

Established in 1981 by the United Nations, International Day of Peace is observed worldwide to promote harmony, pacifism and the absence of war. In 2023, a global survey found more than 900 World Peace Day celebrations in 93 countries around the world.

According to Project Chair Susan DeLaney, the Monroeville Rotary’s first International Day of Peace celebration was held in July 2019 when the organization dedicated a Peace Pole to the community. In subsequent years, the event was moved to September to coincide with the actual day of observance.

This year’s theme was “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.”

Representatives from the Buddhist Meditation Center, Garden City United Methodist Church and Monroeville Muslim Center were in attendance.

The National Anthem “Let There Be Peace on Earth” was sung by Minister Marita Dennis and Gemma Stemley performed a Native American flute selection. A release of doves was conducted by Ken Kaselrig from Dovecote Mission in Allison Park.

Larry Cervi’s East End Kids performed along with Kuumba Inc. and Ibeji Drum Ensemble.

“The International Day of Peace celebration is a meaningful event that we are happy to have participated in,” East End Kids Assistant Director Mary Chase said. “Thanks to RotaryPresident Diane Milo for reaching out with this opportunity.”

Pitcairn Volunteer Fire Department also participated, along with Gateway’s Interact Club and the high school Robotics Club.

All proceeds from the event will go toward Monroeville Rotary’s scholarship program and other youth services, as well as local organizations that work to reduce food insecurities. For more information, visit monroevillerotary.com.