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Until the first drops of rain plunk down on your head, its easy to take your trusty umbrella you know, the one you didnt happen to bring with you for granted. Aside from that polka dot number you had as a kid, for the most part, umbrellas are forgettable; ask any caf and theyll tell you that dozens if not more are left behind by absent-minded patrons each year.

But for more than 200 school children from Naples, last week umbrellas became anything but forgettable.

As part of the Umbrellas for Peace project, elementary and middle school students from both private and public schools spent Friday morning painting the foul weather accessories in Cambier Park. In shades of red, yellow, green and blue, students painted visions of peace on what would become their own personal tokens of shelter.

Umbrellas for Peace is an international project started by the late, famous American artist and peace activist Matt Lamb. Its an initiative that, since its inception, has been shared in more than 29 countries with more than 2 million individuals most of them children. But to truly understand what this project is about, you have to understand its history.

In the months following September 11, 2001, as a nation geared up for war, Lamb geared up for peace. Unlike what our military was reaching for, Lambs weapons were simple: paint, paintbrushes, umbrellas and a message of shelter for all. Asked by Congress to create a project that would assuage the pain of children that lost parents in the attack on the Pentagon, Lamb created Umbrellas for Peace.

You can be Christian, Jewish, Muslim or atheist; white, black or purple, the umbrella doesnt care. The umbrella will shelter anyone who stands underneath it, said Lamb from a video broadcast at Fridays event. Sadly, Lamb passed away just a few weeks ago, but his voice from the DVD recording was loud and clear: peace matters, and teaching peace is important.

The event was sponsored by Jo-Gi Gallery, and gallery owner Jo-Gi was thrilled to finally have Lambs project here locally.

Ive been working on bringing the Umbrella project since last June, so Im very excited that its all come together, she said, adding, Its actually the first time its come to Florida!

And while Jo-Gi expressed remorse that Lamb couldnt be there in person to witness the Naples youngsters going to town with their designs, she was glad to have Lambs granddaughter, Rose Gabler, in attendance.

Ive worked with my grandpa on these events since I was 14, and its become my life. I want to continue spreading his message of peace, said Gabler.

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Give me shelter