The Ban Bus

Soroptimists sponsor the Ban Bus Visit to Chico, California

In a last minute deviation from their itinerary, the Ban Bus visited Chico, CA on Saturday where a number of events received some great local television and print coverage. The Ban Bus set up a demining and mine awareness display at Citrus Elementary School where the community of Chico came together to celebrate their activities in a day called: Making A Difference.

The connection to the landmines campaign was explained by Sandi Williams, President-elect of Soroptimist International of Chico (California). “Last year, we began a local campaign to build awareness of the landmine situation by launching a project called ‘Steps Without Fear’. We asked school children to trace their footsteps and write messages of hope to the children of Angola, and we asked the adults of our community to contribute a dollar. We told them that ‘a step and a dollar’ could help bring ‘Steps Without Fear’.”

In two short weeks, over 1200 footsteps were made and $1041.00 raised for ‘Steps Without Fear’. These were presented to Soroptimist International president, Patricia Daniels, on Human Rights Day 1996 and resulted in the Soroptimist International of the Americas federation adding a line item to their accounting system to allow the organization to continue taking in funds to help eradicate landmines. During the 2 year period, from July 1995 through June 1997, Soroptimist International donated $500,000 to the Mines Advisory Group in Cumbria, England to be used to assist with eradication. That was MAG’s largest donation from a non-governmental organization.

The Ban Bus participants would like to thank the Chico ban supporters for their kind hospitality including Bob Mulholland, Pat Leahy, Sandi Willliams, and Carol and Jim Braziel.

The Ban Bus stops next in Salt Lake City, UT on Monday 27th. Contact: Deborah Sawyer, tel. 801-364-2971