Greg Mortenson
Friday, October 9, 2009
12:00p.m.-3:30 p.m.
This event has been moved to Hathaway Hall at Lewis and Clark Community College, due to the weather.

Nobel Peace Prize-nominee and author of the New York Times Bestseller Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson will address the public, including fourth grade students from Alton public and private schools, on his vision of peacemaking through people helping people. Mr. Mortenson's Central Asia Institute has built 78 schools, which have educated thousands of children in remote and often hostile regions Pakistan and Afghanistan. Many of the students who are benefited, particularly girls, would receive no educations without the help of these schools.


RAIN SCHEDULE (Hathaway Hall)

Noon Alton High School Marching 100 Band plays for 30 minutes

12:30 p.m. Alton High School ROTC presents the flag; AHS Band plays national anthem

12:35 A-Town Steppers dance routine

12:40 p.m. Welcome and introduction by Sam Stemm of WBGZ Radio

12:45 Greg Mortenson addresses Alton-area students

1:30 Standing intermission while students depart

1:50 Audience members for Greg Mortenson's public address enter Hathaway Hall

2:15 Comments by Principia College President, Jonathan Palmer

2:25 Proclamation and introduction by Alton Mayor Tom Hoechst

2:35 Greg Mortenson addresses the public

3:20 Book signing reception on stage

4:05 Greg Mortenson departs Hathaway Hall

SPONSORSHIP

Copies of Three Cups of Tea (Young Readers Edition) and transportation to this event for fourth grade students and teachers has been provided by Alton Junior League, Ameren UE, Conoco Phillips, First Student Bus Company, Hayner Public Library, Lewis and Clark Community College, Roberts Motors, and Simmons Attorneys at Law. Mr. Mortenson's appearance fee is covered by the Annenberg Visiting Scholar Program at Principia College. Other organizations sponsoring this event include, Alton Beautification and Clean City Committee, Alton Marketplace, Alton Parks and Recreation, Alton Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Alton Telegraph, the City of Alton (Mayor's Office), United Way, and WBGZ radio.

PENNIES FOR PEACE

The Pennies for Peace service-learning program began at Westside Elementary School in River Fall, Wisconsin in 1994, when students, through their own initiative, raised 62,340 pennies to help Greg build his first school in Pakistan. Greg came to Westside at the invitation of his mother, Jerene Mortenson, who was the principal at Westside. The story of the first Pennies for Peace campaign is recounted in Three Cups of Tea. Collection stations for Pennies for Peace will be provided by Alton Beautification and Clean City Committee and Alton Parks and Recreation. All donations will be given to Central Asia Institute.

THREE CUPS OF CARING

Riverbend United Way in cooperation with the City of Alton will host a table at which audience members can volunteer for "Caring Contracts" (service projects) throughout the Riverbend area. Those completing a Caring Contract will receive a citation from the Mayor's Office and acknowledgement in the Alton Telegraph.

Click here to read Three Cups of Tea blog.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC