The Calvin Woodland Foundation

During the weekend of June 15 -18, 2005, ROOT (Reaching Out to Others Together) Inc. with the Calvin Woodland Foundation is hosting its Annual Father’s Day Commemoration Ceremonies Weekend. The theme of the three-day event is “A Moratorium on Murder Across the Corridor” to honor homicide victims and their families by bringing awareness to the community, government officials, and residents about the effects of gun violence and homicide in our neighborhoods. ROOT would like to ask for your support for the weekend.

As you may be aware, the Fathers Day Weekend event grows each year and has brought much needed attention to the needs of our community. However, this is only possible due to the support and collaborations that have been established with like-minded organizations that are also concerned with the future of our community. One of our goals is to make the general population and government officials understand that this is not an isolated issue in one particular section of Washington, DC. Violence is spreading across the city and bordering Prince George’s County and it has an effect on all the various cultures and families in one way or another. As we are finding out through the number of innocent victims each week there is no one person who is guaranteed safety from violence or homicide. The itinerary for the weekend is as follows.

This past year ROOT has achieved many of its goals. During the press conference ROOT and the Calvin Woodland Foundation will announce its collaboration for the weekend and the next phase of the organization’s programming and introduce many of its new partners. An announcement will be made regarding the significant achievements of the Guns Aside program as well as the increased involvement and support by Prince George’s and Baltimore Counties.

June 17^th -- Friday

Youth Seminar at a Howard University.

Topic: A forum with candid discussion about homicide, gun violence, suicide, and suicide ideation.

High School and Middle School students from Washington, DC, and Prince George’s County will come together to discuss these issues in open space seminar format, with break out sessions. Also discussed will be the correlation between violent crimes occurring on both sides of the Washington, DC., Prince George's County Border. A video/PSA will be produced as part of ROOT's proactive campaign against violence and homicide, with students offering what they feel to be most effective campaign.

ROOT Inc. and the Calvin Woodland Foundation’s Fathers Day Picnic at Fort Stanton Park

For the first time ROOT and the Calvin Woodland Foundation will partner together for a Father’s Day Picnic at Fort Stanton Park. The event will kick-off with a parade featuring local high school and middle school marching bands and various supporting organizations. The parade will lead the community Fort Stanton Park where the events of the day will include a libation ceremony, speakers, music, information areas, games, prizes and activities involving families. The final portion of the day will be a libation ceremony and balloon release honoring the memory of the victims of homicide and their families.

Again, for a successful weekend, ROOT and the Calvin Woodland Foundation are relying on supporting organizations for many of the weekend’s programs. Your support provides an opportunity for all organizations to gain exposure and get their message out to the public.

ROOT and the Calvin Woodland Foundation seek the following:

We hope that you will agree to support us in any capacity that you deem fit. Since, Fathers Day is just around the corner so in order to move this project forward quickly we are calling on you for your commitment and support.

Candlelight Vigil In Memory of

James L. Harris and Harvey Sumner

Thursday, June 9^th,7pm – 8:00pm

Please join us in a vigil held to honor the lives of James L. Harris of Washington, DC and Harvey Sumner of Temple Hills, MD, two loving fathers and grandfathers brutally murdered one year ago whose case is still UNSOLVED.

Members of the District and Prince George's County communities, community activists and elected officials are also invited to honor the several victims of unsolved murders in the District and address the crime wave rampant along the District/Prince George’s County line.

Where: Oxon Run Park, located at South Capitol Street and 1^st Street, SE (before Eastover shopping Center)

Directions:

From MD or VA – Take I-495 to exit #3B onto MD-210 North toward Forest Heights. Go straight on Indian Head Hwy, which becomes South Capitol Street as you enter the District. South Capitol Street runs into 1^st Street SE. Park is on right hand side.

From DC – Take I-295 to exit #2/South Capitol Street. Take South Capitol Street toward Portland Street/ Bolling Airforce Base and keep straight. Park is on the left hand side before entering Maryland.

For more information, contact Makeda Harris at 202-957-2332