SevenDays-Make A Ripple, Change the World is the overarching theme of a series of community events scheduled April 7-13 to commemorate the tragic events that took place a year ago outside of the Jewish Community Campus and Village Shalom. Three innocent people — Dr. William Corporon, his grandson Reat Underwood and Teresa LaManno — lost their lives at the hands of a Neo-Nazi shooter.
Following the heart-breaking incident, a group of caring individuals decided that as a community, we have the power to outshine and overcome such senseless acts of hate. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}Two foundations were established — RRACE (Racial and Religious Acceptance and Cultural Equality) and Faith Always Wins — to create something positive from the evil that occurred.
SevenDays is a challenge for young and old to embrace diversity across races, religions and cultures. Through three major initiatives, Faith, Love & Song, Faith, Love & Kindness and Faith, Love & Walk, organizers hope to promote understanding and encourage kindness to Make a Ripple and Change the World. SevenDays includes a youth songwriting competition, seven days focused on acts of kindness and a Peace Walk.
Inspired by the Corporon and LaManno families, these SevenDays — Make A Ripple, Change the World events have been created and planned by a group of dedicated volunteers from all walks of life.
“What we have learned from this awful action that took the lives of our loved ones is we are more alike than we are different,” said Mindy Corporon whose father and son — Dr. William Corporon and Reat Underwood — were killed outside of the Campus. The third victim, Teresa LaManno, was gunned down outside of Village Shalom.
“We want to leave the world a better place,” said Dr. Jim LaManno, husband of Teresa LaManno. “So during SevenDays, we’ll rekindle relationships, form promising new connections, and turn one ripple of kindness into an unstoppable wave of faith and love.”
Songwriting Competition-Update
Because music is a universal language bridging barriers and building harmony, the Faith, Love & Song songwriting competition was launched earlier this year. Youth ages 14-21 were asked to submit original compositions that address the subjects of racial, religious, and/or cultural equality and acceptance. This song competition is aimed at promoting understanding, tolerance and acceptance through the arts.
The competition is a partnership of two foundations — RRACE (Racial and Religious Acceptance and Cultural Equality) and Faith Always Wins — established after the shootings with the goal of bringing about good following the acts of hatred.
A panel of judges from the music and entertainment industry will select up to 10 finalists who will be notified by March 15. The public will vote March 29 through April 4, helping to choose the three winning compositions through “likes” on YouTube. Winners will be announced at the Celebration following the Peace Walk on April 13.
SevenDays of Kindness a new beginning
Faith, Love & Kindness begins on Tuesday, April 7. Each day will have a set theme empowering individuals in the community to take action to change the world and make a difference in their own way. The themes include: Love, Discover, Others, Connect, Go, You and Onward. These themes and suggested activities throw the spotlight on the rich diversity in the metro area; it is up to each one of us to build a stronger community. SevenDays is sponsoring diverse educational speakers throughout the week of April 7 – 13. More information about the themes, activities and sponsored events can be found at www.givesevendays.org.
Peace Walk
On Monday, April 13, the public is invited as we gather to take a stand against hate with Faith, Love & Walk. The walk is a journey that begins as a “society” embracing our diversity and common values and concludes as a “community.”
The pre-walk event begins with remarks from Overland Park, Kansas, Mayor Carl Gerlach and Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Sly James at the Jewish Community Campus at 5:45 p.m. The walk will begin promptly at 6 p.m. and conclude at COR. Those wanting to participate are required to pre-register through the event web site, www.givesevendays.org. Participants should park at COR, located at 13720 Roe. Complimentary bus transportation will be provided to the starting line at the Jewish Campus.
Following the walk, at approximately 8 p.m., a Celebration will take place at COR featuring the announcement of the song competition winners and performances of the musical pieces, commemorative candle lighting and more.
While every event is complimentary, donations will be accepted for the Reat Griffin Underwood Memorial Foundation, the Teresa LaManno Fund at the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired and RRACE. Donations are tax deductible.
For more information on SevenDays, contact Ruth Baum Bigus, 913-707-7746 or at {/mprestriction}
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