Every year on Earth Day the Peace Bell is rung in a garden at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Bells have tolled good news from their invention. They sentinel danger, they proclaim victory; church bells are rung at weddings and toll at funerals. The peal of bells arrests our attention. In the Florida Keys, a group of dedicated people have come together to form a program to promote tolerance, compassion and peaceable living. Keys to Peace is a non-profit charitable organization that offers classes, provides school programs, hosts intercultural and interfaith learning, conducts workshops, yoga and meditation classes.
The idea to turn Scuba diving tanks into bells was started by Denise Downing. Old aluminum tanks were donated to the program by Ocean Divers in the Keys. John Spencer and Rick Clemer cut the bottoms off. The tanks were sand blasted, primed then painted by local artists. Once painted Paul Page Auto Body sprayed them with clear coat. Metal keys to decorate the ringer cord were donated by Shell World. The clappers were fabricated by Rick Clemmer. Handmade wooden stands were created by Jim Marcotte. Many others have donated time and energy to make the program happen.
So far 23 tanks have been painted by local artists. “Buddhist monks have blessed them,” Nancy Joe said. Nancy volunteers at the organization’s booth inside Island Market Place at Mile Marker 101 in the Keys. Their booth is open Friday through Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
“Buddhist monks come on a yearlong tour in the United States. Various groups support them. We raised money to donate $2000 to them. We found people that were willing to house them and we provided food,” Nancy explained. “We hung the tank bells from a tree at Morada Way Arts and Cultural District at Mile Marker 81.5. The monks blessed the bells.”
Each ‘Sound of Peace’ bell is painted with a unique design and becomes a special work of art. When the tanks are rung they produce a vibrant, rich tone. The finished bells are magnificent to behold, every tank has its own appeal.
“This one was painted by local artist Jen Fletcher. It is entitled ‘Golden Fishes.’ They are all different. We have sold them from $600 to $1800. We are raffling this bell,” Nancy Joe explained.
Funds raised by Keys to Peace are used to create school programs. “We donated $1000 to the Monroe County Schools to do a workshop on tolerance. We sponsor a Peace Jam and a program called Be The Change in schools. The ‘Sounds of Peace’ bells is the first project that gave us some money to be able to expand our work.”
Keys for Peace brings people together for movie nights and potluck suppers. They sponsor a program of Full Moon Drumming and Florida Keys ECOWeek to educate and celebrate environmental preservation. There is a student peace alliance and walkabouts.
The purpose of the Sounds of Peace bells is that when rung they symbolize commitment to kindness, compassion and peace.
Laudable motives for this grass roots volunteer non-profit organization that has turned old Scuba tanks into resounding accompaniment to voices for peace.
Visit their website at www.keystopeace.com.