Play Soccer. Celebrate Our Community!
As we get closer and closer to World Refugee Day on June 20th, we’re gearing up for our first annual celebration of this day on Saturday, June 17th, with a soccer tournament and community party. All of us at the office are working very hard to make sure this event does justice to the honor and privilege it has been to welcome refugee families to our community. We hope this day-long event shows our intention to stand in solidarity with refugees world wide.
Please don’t shy away if soccer isn’t your thing! After the tournament, starting around 4 p.m., you can join us at the community celebration, which is free and open to all! There will be food, dancing, music, and I am sure, a few surprises! This is a family friendly event with a welcome by Missoula Mayor John Engen and the super rad Whizpops headlining the event!
Here’s how to get involved with the event:
1) Register to play in the soccer tournament by June 11th, and please spread the word!! Registration has had a slow start–help us out! Here is a Facebook event if that is easiest for you to share: https://www.facebook.com/events/605977089744890/.
2) We have MANY volunteer opportunities, from help on the day of, to signing up to bring a potluck dessert. Please email volunteer@softlandingmissoula.org to find out more about volunteering for the event and to sign up!
3) Come AND invite friends to celebrate with us! The “Final Match” will begin around 4 p.m. with festivities to follow. Share this info on this event with a couple folks you know: https://www.facebook.com/events/605977089744890/.
OK! We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the courage, strength, and resilience of refugees with you all, and have a little fun in the process. See you there!
In love and gratitude,
Mary Poole
P.S. We have had quite a few new arrivals over the past few weeks, with additional families coming this week! We have a HUGE need of twin and double sheet sets and comforters/blankets as well as toiletries such as shampoo/conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine pads and liners, etc… These things can be dropped off at the SLM office at 939 Stephens. Thanks!
Beyond Us and Them: What is Possible?
The Jeannette Rankin Peace Center presents “Beyond Us And Them: What is Possible?” a day-long “un-conference”. At the un-conference, four lightning speakers (Dustin Monroe, Quentin Robinson, Tricia Parks and Robert Rivers) will ignite the participants with their individual passions for peacemaking. JRPC members, friends, and community members will be invited to nominate and host any topic related to the theme. These will become simultaneous, fluid breakout sessions in which participants share ideas, inspire each other, and engage on the most powerful topics of interest. At the close, participants are invited to an evening reception in the UCC Courtyard with snacks and music. The event is free for JRPC members and $20 for non-members; lunch, snacks, and evening reception included. More information and online registration is at jrpc.org/beyond-us-and-them.