Hello, bloggers!

I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who helps us put our Umbrellas for Peace programs together.

I often get notes from people on the Blog thanking me for coming to do the Umbrella Projects and parades...  Recently I had a note from Meg Crowell thanking me for the Umbrellas for Peace we did earlier in the year in Lemont, Illinois...

I think it’s important to stress that all of these events couldn’t take place without the coordinators who pull all the strings together and marshal all the forces to make everyone aware of these wonderful actions by the young people.

The painting of the umbrellas, the parades, the pullling together of all the resources such as the umbrellas themselves, the brushes, the plastic so the paint doesn’t get all over the floor, the explaining to the young adults what it’s all about—it’s truly a work of love and community that is the heart and soul and the culture of the umbrella.

So while I’m the one prancing around like Astor’s pet horse, singing and gallopping, the reality is that behind all that folderol is a wonderful, giving community that reaches out in all directions.

Thank YOU for making me part of your family!!!

And away we go!

Matt