In partnership with Tohono Chul Park, Poetry Center docents invite you this special community event.

Four years ago the Tucson community and the entire country were stunned by the events that unfolded on the corner just across the street. In the days that followed, Tohono Chul became a refuge and a place of healing for many. On this anniversary, join us in a day of reflection and remembrance and shared kindness. Admission is free with a donation of canned food to the Interfaith Community Services Food Bank, an organization that has been helping seniors, the disabled and families in financial crisis achieve stable, healthy and independent lives for 30 years. They are in need of canned spaghetti sauce, meats, fruit and vegetables; dried pasta, rice, beans, cereal; and peanut butter, jams and jellies — be generous.

From 10am to 11:30am, visitors can sit down in the Children’s Ramada with Docents from the University of Arizona Poetry Center and be inspired to jot a few lines or write a short poem to commemorate the day, reflect on life’s passages or share how they see our community coming together in positive and life-affirming ways. At noon, gather in the Performance Garden for readings of selected poems from the Center’s collection and, hopefully, our visitors’ efforts as well! And, finally at 1:30pm, join Yoga Instructor Barb Sherman for an hour of heart-centered, gentle yoga accompanied by poems selected to inspire and read by Julie Lauterbach-Colby from The Poetry Center.

Ben’s Bells is all about intentional kindness and improving our ability to connect with one another. Founded by Jeannette Maré as a way to cope with the loss of her son Ben, the organization has developed a national presence in the past 12 years. Sculpted of clay, glazed and fired, Ben’s Bells pass through many hands in their creation, eventually hung randomly around Tucson to await discovery by happenstance. Find one, and you can take it home as a reminder to practice kindness every day. Stop by the Overlook from 10am to 2pm and help make beads that will become part of a Ben’s Bell, write a KIND note to someone you know and proudly share a Be Kind sticker!

Questions?
Please contact Jo Falls, Director of Education at Tohono Chul
(520) 742-6455 x 228 | jfalls@tohonochul.org

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