KIDFORCE MAGAZINE: The Unity Issue

2

3

Coloring Contest!

Color and submit your pumpkin to www.kidforceri.com/submit to win a prize and be featured on our website!

The word "pumpkin" showed up for the first time in the fairytale Cinderella.

A French explorer in 1584 first called them "gros melons," which was translated into English as "pompions," according to HISTORY.com. It wasn't until the 17th century that they were first referred to as pumpkins.

4

5

www.thepeaceflagproject.org 6

7

8

9

10

11

Do You Believe a

Poem Can Change a Life?

The poem, Desiderata, on the following page was given to me by one of my classmates named Amy when I was 12 years old.

She was moving away and wanted me to have the poem to remember her by and to wish me well. At the time, I thought it was a bit unusual for someone so young to give me this kind of serious poem. Also, I didn’t know Amy very well, so I was surprised at the gesture. Amy explained that she felt like an outsider and a “nerd,” but that I had never treated her that way at all. She said she would always remember my kindness and that this poem made her feel better whenever she was sad. She hoped it would do the same for me in my life.

In spite of our best intentions, Amy and I did not stay in touch and I never saw her again.

I do not know where the years have taken her.

For a long time, I saved Amy’s “Desiderata” poem until the lined paper started to fall apart and the handwriting grew too faded to read. As Amy had hoped, I found the poem comforting and inspiring and, over the decades, I turned to Max Ehrmann’s words time and again when I felt lonely or sad, or just in need of connection.

Neither I nor Amy could have known how much a part of my life this poem and her friendship would become, even in her absence.

Max Ehrmann wrote Desiderata nearly a century ago, in 1927. It has been shared thousands of times over by people all around the world, including a US Army psychiatrist in 1942 who gave it to soldiers going off to war. These words have never lost their meaning or their relevance. To this day, Desiderata remains an instrument of peace, kindness and hope. For me and so many others.

Perhaps one day I will find Amy and finally be able to thank her for this priceless, caring gift that forever changed my life.

Maybe you know someone who needs the gift of Desiderata?

With Love and Light, Marie Sheva Creator and Managing Editor KidForce Magazine 12

Date: ______________________________ Dear ____________________________________, I really like this poem about peace and happiness. I would like to share it with you. I hope it will make you feel happy, too.

From: _____________________________________________________________________________

Visit www.KidForceRI.com to download and print this page!

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

Can you draw me?

20

Oliver D. is 12 years old and lives in Wakefield, RI

21

22

Fall Colors

Zoya S. Age 6 East Greenwich, RI

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

For more information about these great “Kids Who Care” causes, visit the following: The Travis Roy Foundation — www.travisroyfoundation.org Emily’s Cakes for a Cause — Riley Draws—

@Baketheworldsweeter @RileyDraws

Sami’s Sendoffs—

samis.sendoffs

“A Girl Waiting For A Rainbow”

Sumedha C. — Age 5 Lincoln, RI 34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

“Falling Sky”

Sean C.—Age 18 Londonderry, NH

43

44

Summer Chicken

Jack B. Age 10 East Greenwich, RI

45

46

www.KidForceRI.com/submit

47

48

49

50

51

www.littlemavenlemonade.com

52

Www.LittleMavenLemonade.com

53

www.KidForceRI.com/subscribe 54