“No one expected (the Cool Kids! Peace Chain) to get this big,” said Cool Kids! Founder Steve Appleton. “But everything we do is big!” The Cool Kids! Peace Chain is now starting a migration that may end up the same way, he said. “Our hope is to build up enough support – and grow the chain into such a massive statement of peace locally – that it can migrate nationwide!”
Cool Kids! is a cultural family program with a big mission: “Everyone’s part of the show! Everyone’s part of the planet!” The core of its mission? Peace is a verb. And everyone has a piece to add – to peace.
Cool Kids! have taken on large issues with larger events that attract larger crowds. For eight years, Cool Kids! combated hunger by hosting teams from several counties who built canned good sculptures in a highly popular block party and annual competition, CANimals on Parade. The net result— averaged over 14,000 items for food shelves throughout the region each year. The real mission? Everyone’s part of the community. Each April, over 60 eco and green exhibitors converge on the annual Cool Kids! Ecofest at GCC, attracting hundreds of families who recycle an average 24,000 tons of electronics and more than 1000 pairs of sneakers as one facet of the many Cool Kids! “Green Kids!” action initiatives that take place in all three of the annual series.
And world peace doesn’t escape the sights of Cool Kids! either. Their vision to engage all ages in peace-able actions began as a simple idea that has catapulted beyond expectations. One simple story became an eight year legacy that may bring Cool Kids! on an international quest for peace.
It all began eight years ago, with one storyteller teaching Cool Kids! how to fold cranes, but inspiring them with the Japanese legend which claims if you fold 1000 origami peace cranes, your wish will come true. Cool Kids! wish? World peace. Appleton said the original goal was to engage parents over a summer to fold with their kids – and combine all of the family’s efforts into a 1000 “crane chain” for world peace.
That happened within weeks and the tiny cranes, made of recycled paper, were piling up fast. Since then, whether at the crane-folding tables at Cool Kids! events or from countless packages being mailed from all over the U.S., Cool Kids! have folded over 15,000 origami cranes – and counting!!
Now, for the first time in four years, the public can witness the full Cool Kids! Peace Chain on display from September 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Rochester Area Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), 494 East Avenue, Rochester. In recognition of International Peace Day, the AAUW’s latest gallery exhibit, “Peace!”, will feature dozens of local and national artists, from a variety of media, to portray their vision of peace, as well as hosting The Cool Kids! Peace Chain!
Hundreds of yards long, this “first stop” installation in Rochester, begins what organizers claim is a “World Peace Migration” and dominates the entire bottom floor of the Perkins Mansion.
Cool Kids! will also have origami peace crane instructors on hand to teach how to fold peace cranes and add to the chain! The Cool Kids! Peace Chain will be on display at AAUW until October 20. It can be seen after the September 21 opening reception by appointment by calling AAUW at (585) 244-8890.
For information on Cool Kids! and how to receive peace crane folding instructions: call The Cool Hotline at 585-637-3984 or www.generationcool.biz. Folded orgami cranes can be brought to any Cool Kids! event, crane chain opening or mailed to: Cool Kids! Peace Chain, 6558 Fourth Section Road, Suite 206, Brockport, NY 14420.
