Cherry Blossoms Speak Peace fundraiser returns

TIFFIN — The fifth annual "Cherry Blossoms Speak Peace" event hosted by Nonviolent Tiffin will take place Friday, April 17 at The Chandelier in Tiffin, continuing the organization's growing effort centered on peace and humanitarian aid. Founder Sr. Paulette Schroeder said the event has grown steadily since it began, both in size and purpose."This is the fifth, and each year it's growing," Schroeder said. "What it has evolved into is what I like to call a fun fundraiser. It's a way to bring people together and help out others at the same time." Schroeder said. The evening will include a keynote speaker, silent auction, 50-50 drawing and donation opportunities, along with student involvement and community displays. The event's theme, "Healing Relationships in a Fractured World," will feature keynote speaker John Stowe, bishop of the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky and president of Pax Christi USA. Schroeder said the focus of each year's event is shaped in part by current events. "It partly deals with the current situation in our country," she said. "Immigration, for example, is such a huge factor right now; a huge injustice going on." The event will also highlight local student voices. Four Tiffin Middle School eighth graders will give short speeches reflecting on how they can make a difference. "They only have about a minute, a minute and a half," Schroeder said. "But they're really reflective. They're searching for meaning, purpose and belonging." Final selections for student speakers are expected to be made over the next several days. This year, funds raised at the event will be directed toward humanitarian efforts in both Haiti and Gaza. Co-founder Donna Smith said the Haiti portion will support children through a sponsorship program that provides food, school supplies and other essentials. "They don't have food. They sometimes don't have shelter," Smith said. "There's a lot of violence in Haiti where people have to flee their homes and go back into the bush with what they can carry." Smith said many of the children being helped have lost parents or are living with extended family members who have limited resources. "The money that we raise goes directly to the people," she said. She continued, sharing one recent example of a child in need. "Rosemie's mother passed away last year, leaving her father alone with five children," Smith said. "He makes less than $200 a month. These are the kinds of situations we're trying to help." Schroeder said funds will also support families in Gaza, where she said children are facing severe trauma. "We learned that the kids are going through trauma so badly," she said. "There are families with special needs who have nowhere to go." The event's name comes from the symbolism of cherry blossom trees, which were gifted by Japan to the United States as a sign of peace following World War II. "They seemed a perfect symbol for peacemaking, for what we're about," said Schroeder. In addition to speakers and fundraising efforts, the evening will include music and heavy hors d'oeuvres. Tickets are $35 and include food and a door prize entry. Payments are due by April 11. Doors to the event open at 5 p.m., with food served at 5:45 p.m. at 151 S. Washington St.