By Kelly Jones, '05

On Friday, April 8, Meredith's "A Tide of Hope" committee will kick off the second phase of campus tsunami fundraising events with "A Thread of Hope" in McIver Amphitheater from 1:30-2:30 p.m. {Rain Location: Jones Auditorium)

A group of Buddhist monks, traveling from Washington, D.C., will say a blessing for those present and for all humanity. This is a ritual common in Sri Lanka, during which people form a circle and hold an unbroken thread. After the blessing, the string will be cut in pieces and tied to the wrist where it will be worn until it falls off.

Child Development and Social Work students have worked with Dr. Gail Kenyon, assistant professor, to organize this interfaith project as a fundraiser for tsunami relief. The idea of the "Thread of Hope" bracelets originated from Dr. Betty Webb, professor of English and director of international studies, and her husband, John Rose, as they witnessed white thread draped around the wrists of many Sri Lankans during their Christmas vacation.

Kenyon believes this event will show solidarity with our world neighbors in Sri Lanka and the South Pacific.

The "Thread of Hope" event is free and open to the public. In the event of rain, the location will be changed to the east side of Belk Dining Hall.

Child Development and Social Work students will also be selling "A Tide of Hope" buttons, which are available for a $5 donation. All proceeds from the button sales will go towards Meredith's campus tsunami relief fundraising efforts.

For more information, contact Campus Minister Sam Carothers, who is leading Meredith's "A Tide of Hope" tsunami relief task force, at 919-760-8346.