The team's first visit of the day is with longtime Peace Run supporters and teammates, Daulot and Stota Fountain. They own Transformation Surprise Laundromat in Ballard.
Both Stota and Daulot are excellent banjo oficianados, Chintamani fits right in.
The team next arrives at the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club, home to the Sri Chinmoy Peace Tree dedicated to Bill Burton.
Counselors are peaceful and strong.
This club is one of our favorite places to visit.
Its hot today, a cooling mist from a kind hearted counselor.
The kids are always enthusiastic...
...and peaceful.
They are also great judges of peaceful and not peaceful behavior when its time to judge the skits. Not peaceful!
Peaceful and helpful!
Once the program is over, its time for a short Peace Run around the playground.
Thank you to Denise Lewis, our longtime friend and dedicated server of the youth here at the Club. Denise received the Torch Bearer Award for her life of committed service to the kids here at Rainier Vista. She retires next year after 42 years!
And thank you to all the youth here at Rainier Vista! Behind the smiling faces and enthusiasm is the Peace Tree.
Next the team arrives at the Southwest Boys and Girls Club in Seattle. And the team jumps right in!
The kids learn the World Harmony Run song.
A moment of silence.
And you be the judge! Is this peaceful or not peaceful?
Not peaceful!
How about this?
Peaceful and helpful!
Thank you to the Southwest Club for having us.
Now its outside to pass the torch around, everyone wants a chance to hold the torch.
And go for a Peace Walk.
All walkers and runners welcome! Thank to for having us and a big thank you to Cierra(not shown) for your longtime support and enthusiasm over the years! The Peace Runners feel fortunate to know you!
Our final program of the day is dedicated to those who serve Seattle and the greater Puget Sound area through spiritual endeavors.
It is a meeting of those who love and serve the inner lives of Seattle. And presenting Torch Bearer Awards to honor the unity and oneness each faith shows for all faiths.
US Peace Run Team Captain Harita Davies is MC and welcomes those present today.
Thank you for your prayers, hopes and dreams for peace. Each one of you serve humanity in a very significant way.
Each runner introduces themselves and their country of origin.
Your open minds and hearts bridge any differences and speak to the greater good that unites us as one human family.
The Tzu Chi Foundation was begun by a Buddhist nun and a true saint in Taiwan. It is built on the "Four Great Missions": Charity, Medicine, Education, and Humanistic Culture. Sister Angela Wan, a tireless local leader receives the Torch-Bearer Award on behalf of the Foundation and shares a most significant Buddhist prayer.
Sister Wan and those who attend with her express a silent dignity and poise in their words and actions. The Peace Run is pleased and grateful to recognize the beauty and grace of the Tzu Foundation with the Torch Bearer Award.
Agaragita introduces the next awardee, Swami Avikarananda.
Swami represents the Vedanta Society of Western Washington. His mission here in Washington spans the last 30 years, its continuing goal is to spread the message and teaching of the Ramakrishna Order. He is a dedicated monk whose monasticism and dignity enrich the humanity in countless ways that cannot be quantified.
Swami offers a soulful prayer.
Agraha introduces Rabbi Jason Levine. Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth Am and Associate Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council. He has both a BA in Neurobiology plus rabbinical training. He firmly believes that spiritual belief and action must go hand in hand—and that we must learn from different faiths, cultures and philosophies**.**
Rabbi Levine is Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth Am and Associate Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council. He has both a BA in Neurobiology plus rabbinical training. He firmly believes that spiritual belief and action must go hand in hand, "we must learn from different faiths, cultures and philosophies".
"Looking at this torch and seeing how it passes from hand to hand is a breathtaking reminder of what we can achieve when we move together. The light that connects us serves as a beacon to bring the far to become near, to bring the distant to become intimate. As you run through our beautiful Puget Sound communities, you are a spark that connects us all."
Next to receive the Torch Bearer Award is Sufi Imam Jamal Rahman, co-founder and Muslim Sufi minister at the Interfaith Community Sanctuary. Jamal is also adjunct faculty at Seattle University.
Finally, our dear friend and advocate Suzie Burke receives the Torch Bearer Award on behalf of the Catholic Faith. Here life is one of service and dedication to the highest and best in people.
And her enthusiasm and mischievous nature always bring joy and happiness to those she meets.
Suzie Burke is a staunch advocate of Sri Chinmoy, founder of the Peace Run and is proud to have the Statue of him as a Fremont Landmark.
Seattle teammates sing the 'Seattle Song', written by Peace Run founder Sri Chinmoy.
Its time to begin the final portion of our program, a Peace Walk down the Burke-Gilman Trail.
In each of the 50 states the Peace Run passes through, the peace collects a soil sample. At the end of the Peace Run, a tree will be planted for peace using this soil.
Suzie does the honor of collecting the soil for Washington State. Thank you Suzie! It is the end of a wonderful day in Seattle.
Today the team celebrates the birthday of Dan Watts. He is not only a great Peace Run teammate but also the 'behind the scenes' genius who organized today's Torch Bearer Program. Thank you Dan and Happy Birthday!
