Join Me in Promoting Peace and Spreading Kindness #NoMoreHurtingPeople

There are things that happen in this world that make us take pause. Acts that make you want to hug your children and never let go. Things that remind of how precious life is. And there are people who impact us in a way that changes us forever. Martin Richardson is such a person.

Once in a while I’m invited to participate in a campaign that is really special. I’m so thrilled to partner with Social Good Moms to promote peace and spread kindness through a social good service project.

generationOn, the youth service division of Points of Light, and Hasbro, Inc. have joined The Martin Richard Foundation to create the Martin Richard Bridge Builder campaign. The campaign honors Martin Richard, an 8-year-old boy who was tragically killed when the second of two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. In the days after the bombing, a photo of Martin holding a handmade poster that read, “No more hurting people – Peace” touched countless hearts. Martin was known at school as a “bridge builder.” He believed in kindness, fairness, and inclusion.

The Martin Richard Bridge Builder campaign is intended to continue spreading Martin’s belief of bringing people together by challenging kids, teens and families across the country to spread peace through service projects or simple acts of kindness.

From September 14 – October 16, kids, teens and families can visit the campaign website to learn how to create peace in their community, join in spreading Martin’s message on social media by creating peace posters or sharing acts of kindness using the campaign hashtag #NoMoreHurtingPeople.

Whether it’s planting a peace garden, making a peace poster, or simply inviting someone new to sit at a school lunch table, there are many easy ways kids, teens, and families can make a difference at a time when our nation needs it most.

The campaign website features ten project guides to help people across the country take action in their community to spread peace and kindness. Earlier this year, 27 service project ideas were selected among hundreds of submissions and awarded a $500 “Bridge Builder” grant. Ten of the projects were developed into guides and are featured on the website. Two have been be turned into public service announcements to amplify Martin’s wish for a more peaceful world.

In anticipation of International Peace Day, Sunday, September 20, over 2,500 youth will come together at the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach, California for a ”Pier to Peer” event managed by Team Kids to create a “wave of compassion” by lining up and holding peace posters, stretching 1.7 miles of beach. For a $5 registration fee, participants will be able to create peace posters at the event, enjoy a pancake breakfast, games and music from popular, local musicians, while physically spreading Martin’s message of peace.

For my project I chose Photojournalism. I’ll be spending a day capturing photos or video of myself and others engaged in spreading peace and kindness. I look forward to sharing the photos with you.

Please join me! To help us spread the word about this awesome campaign, we’re having a Twitter Party! Join us for the #NoMoreHurtingPeople Twitter Party on World Peace Day, September 21, from 2PM – 3PM EST. I hope to see you there!