My name is Peter Croce and I am 11 years old. I am a member of DeLand Worship Group, which is under the care of Orlando (Fla.) Meeting in Southeastern Yearly Meeting. I am working on a project in which I think other Friends might be interested.
After September 11, when many people flew flags, I wondered what it meant to them. To some people I think it meant that they were supporting military action, and to some just that they wanted to keep the country united. I wanted a sign that said what I feel. My American flag peace sign says "be peaceful" to America.
When I first had the idea, I took it to my meeting, and a Friend suggested that I have it put on T-shirts. I drew it with oil pastels and we had the first shirts made. Our friends who made the shirts suggested that we put my signature on it, too. The day that we got the shirts was 11/9, the opposite of 9/11, and I thought that was cool.
I wanted the profits from the shirts to go to a place that would help the victims of 9/11 and also the victims of the war, because everyone suffers in a situation like this. I chose American Friends Service Committee because they are helping both groups of victims. The "No More Victims" campaign is giving food, support, and aid in New York and in Afghanistan. All the money we make from the shirts will go to AFSC.
Less than a week after we got the first shirts, they are all sold and we have orders for many more. Two stores in my town are selling the shirts and my family has sold them in an arts festival. Many people are giving them to their families as gifts. People really like the shirt because it gives an alternative to the encouragement of violence. Also, people see different things in it; one person said it looks like the globe.
Individuals and meetings who would like to order the shirts may do so by calling (386) 736-8306 or contacting Peter Croce at 320 West Minnesota Avenue, DeLand, FL 32720. All sizes are available, from children’s large (14-16) through adult XXL; children’s shirts are 50/50 and adults’ are 100 percent cotton.
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Peter Croce in his American flag peace sign shirt