Article Contributed on: 6/4/2008 3:55:37 PM
It was a palooza of painting last Saturday as 40-plus volunteers gathered at the Parker United Church of Christ on Mainstreet in Parker to paint a school bus before it begins its journey to Cuba.
The theme was Peace and Friendship from America to Cuba with youth and adults from Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Parker performing the artisty. The mural begins at the front of the bus with the mountains and aspens of Colorado, slowly transforming towards the rear of the bus into Hemingway's Castle and the beach of Cuba, deplicting the journey the bus will be taking.
The rear of the bus is a Rocky Mountain sunset, lettered with the theme "Peace and Friendship" in both Spanish and English.
The bus can be seen at the ParkerFest, June 22nd during the Caravan Kickoff Celebration. This is part of a nationwide interdenominational project sponsored by the Pastors for Peace called the "Friendshipment" Cuban Caravan.
These buses will be transporting needed medical, education supplies, as well as construction tools and sports equipment to the less fortunate people in Cuba. Because of the 40 year U.S. embargo on Cuba, the buses from all over the nation will travel to a Mexican port for transport to the Cuban shores.
From there, volunteers will distribute the supplies to the needy and the buses will be donated to pre-determined schools. This project is being undertaken specifically to let the schools and children of Cuba know that Americans care about them regardless of current government policies.
The celebration continues on June 22nd as Parker UCC sends the bus on its journey. Rev. Diane Baker, a seasoned caravanist from Texas and a Disciples of Christ minister, will provide a sendoff address at the Parker UCC's 10 a.m.worship celebration at Ruth Memorial Chapel.
Following at noon will be the Caravan Kickoff festivities, complete with balloons and a pinata at the ParkerFest. At 1 p.m., the bus is scheduled for deparure. The public is invited to join the fun.