Inspired by King, county celebrates Peace Week

Heather Rawlyk

Friday, Jan. 16, 2004 | 5:27 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

January 17 - 18, 2004

Peace Week Literacy kick-off event: noon to 3 p.m. Monday at the West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

Candlelight Vigil: 5:30 p.m. Monday in front of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statue, 2432 N. Martin Luther King Blvd.

Book Drive: Monday through Friday, books may be dropped off at the West Las Vegas Library. Pickups can be arranged by calling 455-7069.

Literacy Day: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, West Las Vegas Library.

Contact: Gina Shanks, 455-7069.

To honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and in recognition of Southern Nevada Peace Week, Clark County and community leaders are kicking off a literacy campaign on Monday.

The theme of the week is: Building a community, piece by piece, Tyrone Thompson, Clark County community outreach manager, said.

One way to do that is by reading and promoting reading, he said.

"We're looking at literacy because there is a connection between illiteracy and violence," he said. "With a more literate community, the community is less prone to violence."

Tyrone Thompson, Clark County community outreach manager, said Peace Week was primarily a time for people to make a personal commitment for what they're going to do to build peace in their community.

The kick-off for the literacy campaign is noon to 3 p.m. Monday at the West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

It will feature story-telling by several prominent members of the community. Favorite storybook characters will be present to interact and take photos with children, organizers said.

West Las Vegas Library staff will also be registering people for library cards and talking about the importance of family and community literacy.

Literacy Day arrives on Wednesday, Thompson said.

"Basically, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday we really want to express to families to come together and read together," he said. "We want parents to read to children and children to read to parents."

And book drives will be conducted all week, Thompson said.

"Books can be donated and dropped off at the West Las Vegas Library," he said. "We'll take books in good condition, new books or even gift cards to places like Barnes & Noble."

Thompson said volunteers will also be available to pick up books for those who cannot get out to drop them off.

"People just need to give us a call," he said. "We're willing to come out and get them."

Once the books are collected, they will be redistributed to different organizations and schools, Thompson said.

"Any books, books for different age groups, we want them all," he said.

There will also be a more meditative start for peace week, with a a candlelight vigil at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statue located at the Clark County Community Resource Center, 2432 N. Martin Luther King Blvd.

The vigil and the literacy campaign are all part of an effort to encourage people to make personal commitments to spreading peace throughout the community, Thompson said.

"It's a time for people as a whole to decide how to make peaceful efforts throughout the year," he said.

Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates said, "Not only are we here to celebrate the contributions that Dr. Martin Luther King made to America, but we are here, as a community, to encourage others to continue to work together and embrace new ideas to promote peace and harmony throughout the valley."

Residents are encouraged to wear white ribbons as a show of support for peace efforts.

For more information about any of the events included during Peace Week, call Gina Shanks at 455-7069.

The Peace Week activities are being sponsored by the Clark County Parks and Community Services Culture of Peace Program, in collaboration with the city of Las Vegas West Community Center, West Las Vegas Library, the Economic Opportunity Board Community Action Partnership of Las Vegas and Park Place Entertainment.