Bartlett International Day of Peace event raises funds for nonprofit
Sarah Gough has a tough job.
She tries to make children of conflict - in all its forms - smile.
These are kids living in the most dangerous places in the world. These are kids who need food, water and shelter.
"But they also need laughter and hope," Gough says.
Fresh off a 10-day, Middle East tour, Gough will be in Bartlett this weekend for one of the biggest fundraisers for Play for Peace.
Gough runs the Chicago-based nonprofit, but she lives north of Guatemala City in an infamous region called the Northern Triangle of Central America.
Gough loves her job. Besides inducing laughter - Gough makes jokes at her own expense - she teaches kids about cooperation, self-confidence and caring through team-building exercises. For the older kids, she teaches them to be leaders, to carry on the Play for Peace workshops when she leaves.
Her job, of course, carries risk. Ahead of the trip to Israel and the West Bank, where she and the Play for Peace co-founder had been invited to bring Palestinian and Jewish children together through play, even Gough had some reservations.
"Is now the time?" she thought.
The time was the tense cease-fire between Israel and Gaza. What Gough found was kids who simply craved time with other kids.
"People are survivors and they keep moving on," Gough said. "Seeing their strength and resolve just inspires me to be there and support them as much as I can."
The group's Bartlett fundraiser - also a celebration of the International Day of Peace - runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Bartlett Nature Center, 2054 W. Stearns Road. Admission is $25 for adults, $10 for kids and free for children 3 and younger.
At noon, U.S. Coast Guard members will lead a moment of silence. Then, kids can follow a trail - the 5K "Nature Walk" - in James "Pate" Philip State Park. A silent auction will offer spa packages and tickets to sporting events. Indian, Italian and Mexican cuisine will be represented at the "International Food Festival."
Gough and other Play for Peace trainers also will demonstrate some of their techniques for families. A couple hundred are expected.
"It's just starting to get more and more momentum," says Lisa Gelsomino, a Bartlett mom who sits on the nonprofit's board.
So far, organizers have reached about half of their $50,000 fundraising goal. Proceeds help train locals in conflict areas to run Play for Peace clubs. There are 25 U.S. chapters, including one in Palatine Township Elementary District 15.
Gough said Play for Peace has seen higher high school graduation rates in areas with clubs. A more immediate impact, Gough said, is providing a safe refuge where kids can just "be kids again."
"I am where I should be," she said.