It is with much gratitude and appreciation I share with you the story of the people who have supported this project and helped build and create the Fountain of Peace.  It is because of them The Fountain of Peace has come this far. 

My late father Ted Arnason told me when you know you are meant to do something, that NO is not an answer. He said, ”Things may not be done the way you envisioned them and there may be lots of twists and turns but if you don’t give up it will happen.” He also told me, ”No one ever really does anything alone and all you have to do is ask for help and eventually you will find it.“ To all those who are reading this, thank you for taking the time to learn about The Fountain of Peace and if you wish to help please contact us at info@fountainofpeace.com.  To everyone who has helped bring the Fountain of Peace to reality, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your time, support and friendship.

Mr. Garry Hilderman  B.L.A., M.L.A., M.A.L.A., F.C.S.L.A– Winnipeg Manitoba – Designed The Fountain of Peace. Garry is one of Canada’s most renowned landscape architects and a recipient of The Order of Canada. He has volunteered numerous times to help beautify locations and community projects. His gift of design and creativity goes beyond what most can even imagine. His respect for the beauty of nature and his ability to capture it and work with it make him among the most respected landscape designers in our country. I had the privilege of working with Garry on a community project and learned first hand of his dedication to giving back and to the creation of beautiful and natural spaces. After I had the dream about the fountain I called Garry and asked if he would design it. I described it to him and told him it need to be strong to travel and easy to put together and take apart. We spoke about what it represented and the need for it to be easy for children to work with. It was not long after that I received the drawings and it felt like he had actually seen what was in my mind.  Garry has consulted continuously through out this process and continues to follow its progress. He is a kind and generous man and I thank you, Garry, for your continued support of The Fountain of Peace and for your friendship.

Jill Veitch - Kelowna British Columbia -  Jill worked for 12 years in the radio industry, before starting her web design and publishing company. Jill spent six months in Uganda, Africa, assisting with the development of a radio station in that country's capital city. While overseas, she wrote a program introducing computers to first-time users, and delivered training to rural offices in Uganda. When I contacted Jill she volunteered to create the beautiful website you see today. She has placed many hours into bringing clarity to the information and posting updates. I am often told by people who have visited the website how beautiful it is and how easy it is to navigate. She also designed my business card and made me official. Jill has an amazing career and having accomplished so much at such a young age. Not only did she start her own business but is also a loving mother and wife with a very busy family schedule.  Kind, generous and compassionate Jill created the foundation The Fountain of Peace is built on and the beginning of its reality.  Thank you Jilly for your gifts and helping make this project real!

Thank you to Jeremiah Archambault and Daniel Cutler for their support and help with obtaining The Fountain of Peace domain and the work they have done to support the Fountain of Peace Project.  Your patience and kindness is most appreciated.

Thank you to Randolph Rochefort for creating our newsletter and making The Fountain of Peace Project a special client.  Randolph is the Director of Product Development at Life Seminars.  To meet Randolph is to meet one of the nicest people in the world.  His support for the Fountain of Peace Project is filled with ideas and help and always a smile and hug. Thank you Randolph for being you.

Patrick Godfrey After writing the lyrics for the song “The Kind of World that We Want” I asked my friend Sean Newton if he knew of a composer who might create the score for them. He forwarded the lyrics to Patrick and not long after I received an email telling me he would be happy to create the music. I sent him the description of the Project and the song was given a musical voice. Patrick’s love for children abounds and he came to play the score with the children when they recorded it and then again came to accompany them at the Launch when they performed it. His generosity and loving spirit fills the world with music and he is one of the kindest men I have ever met. Thank you Patrick for all your music and for your friendship and support. Patrick has worked with many well known Canadian musicians including Bruce Cockburn, Murray McLaughlan, Raffi, Marc Jordan, Shirley Eikhard, Ben Mink, Daniel Lanois, Ken Whiteley, David Essig, Fraser and Debolt and Mendelson Joe. His work with singer Len Udow took him to Winnipeg one Summer, where he met animator Richard Condie and wrote the music for Richard's first animation, "Oh Sure". So began a friendship, which continues today; Patrick has scored all of Richard's animations including the Academy Award nominated classics The Big Snit and La Salla. Patrick has worked on numerous other animations, including the Academy award nominated short George and Rosemary, and the Oscar winning animation Bob's Birthday. He also scored all 52 episodes of Canada's most successful animated TV series, Nelvana's acclaimed Bob and Margaret, seen around the world. Patrick has been in demand as a producer; his credits include the million-selling Classical Kids productions Mr. Bach Comes To Call, Mozart's Magic Fantasy, and Beethoven Lives Upstairs, and he has produced albums featuring artists such as Holly Cole, The Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band, The Lafayette String Quartet, and Michael Jones. Patrick continues to perform in concert and teaches improvisation, composition and song writing at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, Victoria BC. In concert he plays a mix of piano music both composed and improvised, and songs, mostly originals, with some favorites ranging from George Gershwin and Harold Arlen to Bruce Cockburn and the Beatles. Patrick's music is available from www.apparitionmusic.com, CDBaby, and Apple iTunes

Barbara Lyall – Vancouver BC Barbara is a nurse, educator, musician, vocalist, artist, athlete and last but not least an amazing mother and friend.  Barbara lived in Saudi Arabia for many years where she taught children art, one of her passions. She returned to Canada to teach and bring up her children. Since her return she has been involved in many community choirs and taught vocal, piano started a community choir where all you had to do was sing or want to sing.  She was brought up in Edmonton and prior to moving to British Columbia obtained her private pilots license. Barbara is a renaissance woman and lives her life to be the best person she can be. Barbara was teaching a children’s choir, when I asked if she would help with the song “The Kind of World that We Want” there was no hesitation just a YES!  Her love for children and music is beyond enthusiastic it is part of her being. She helped arrange and gather children and teachers to learn and record The Fountain of Peace Song.

PAMELA SMIRL  - Victoria British Columbia Pamela has supported The Fountain of Pace Project with her heart, her gift of music and teaching and her enthusiasm.  She has organized and taught the children “The Kind of World that We Want” and coordinated the recording of it and the performance of it at the Official Launch April 10, 2010. Though Pamela was in the midst of a huge Music Festival she took time and came down to see how the children had done performing for the launch.  When you hear people speak of busy people Pamela is certainly one of them. However Pamela has a different concept of time and that is she has time for passion, time for children, time for music, time for her family and she makes time to give of herself. Her contribution brought the children’s voices to the world. It was through her connection with Tom Lee Music that we were able to record the children’s choir. To all the Staff at Tom Lee Music thank you for your help ! DIRECTOR– Teacher, Adjudicator, Master Class and Workshop Clinician Received distinction at Seattle Pacific University (ORFF), USA, Victoria Conservatory of Music(Piano), Trinity College (Vancouver), Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) Studied pedagogy and piano with Winifred Scott Wood (received the Winifred Scott Wood award for teacher with consistently high standards) Dr. Cecelia MacLean (North Vancouver), Edward Parker (Burnaby), Evelyn Donnelly (New Westminster), Alannah Ong (Vancouver), Marjorie Tebo (Victoria).Pamela’s students have received awards in performance and composition both locally, Provincially and Nationally.

The Children’s Choir, Patrick and myself getting ready to record “The Kind of World that We Want”

Jim Leary Winnipeg Manitoba International School Superintendent, educator, principal and friend. Thank you for the time you have spent consulting on The Fountain of Peace. Your opinion, edits and advice have been more then valuable.

Our letters of Support became an integral part of the credibility of this project. I wish to thank: Dr. Saul Arbess-Professor of Anthropology, and A Peace Activist National Co-Chair, Canadian Department of Peace Initiative. Dr. Arbess took time from his busy schedule to meet me numerous times in Victoria and have coffee. His belief in peace and his support has kept me motivated through out this journey. Along with his wife Penny Joy they continue to work towards a future of peace for the world. They are inspiriting!

Thank you to Barb Northwood who is an artist and peace activist.  Barbara brought greeting at the launch for The Fountain of Peace from The Canadian Department of Peace initiative.  Her information helped those who attended understand the purpose and work the Department of Peace Initiative is doing.

The Victoria International Development Lynn Thornton – Executive Director VIDEA is one of Canada's oldest global education centres. We facilitate communication, cooperation and strategic networking among Canadian groups working for global justice, peace and sustainable development, linking local and international issues with community initiatives. I met with Lynn to share with her the Fountain of Peace Project and Lynn’s advice was invaluable.  She shared with me about working in third world countries and how their community and educational programs work here in Canada.  What I was most inspired by was the way VIDEA helps.  Their people don’t go and live in hotels but become part of the community and that education and helping people believe in their own power is integral to their futures.  VIDEA hold their hands they do not take over.  They help build they do not build.  Lynn showed me how to include all the children. Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace.

Robert Stewart – C.A. C,M.C. –“The Canadian Centres For Teaching Peace Mission is to help build a better world, and to advance the search for peace in the world.” Bob is a Chartered Accountant and Certified Management Consultant by profession.  He has held many senior management positions in business and government over the past 33 years. His passion for peace was ignited by his involvement in the Rotary International convention that took place in Calgary in 1996.  The message that he heard was “peace is the most worthwhile cause, and you should do something”.  Since that time, Bob has founded the Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace and leads the Canadian Culture of Peace Program.  His peace website at www.peace.ca has been ranked number 1 by Google with over 50,000 visitors per month, and he has been referred to as “the foremost peace educator in Canada ".  In 2000, Bob was the recipient of the YMCA Peace Award at the annual presentation in Calgary. I contacted Robert and explained the Fountain of Peace Project and asked for a letter of support.  Robert was enthusiastic and supportive and has been for the past 4 years.  When I contacted him and told him the Fountain had been built and we would be launching the project April 10, 2010 he sent a message of congratulations.  However Robert took that a step further by having Anne-Marie Colette his colleague contact me.  After speaking with Anne Marie I was inspired further and felt enormous support.  Anne Marie provide me with a message from The Canadian Centres for Teaching Peace which could be read at the launch. Her enthusiasm for bringing a message of peace both personal and for the world to educators, parents and children is her passion.  It is an honour to know her now as a friend and a kindred spirit.

Established in 1960, Canadian Voice of Women for Peace (VOW) is a non-partisan Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) comprised of a network of diverse women with consultative status at the United Nations ECOSOC. For over 50 years, VOW has provided a means for women to exercise responsibility for the promotion of world peace and justice, through education of themselves and others to take an equal part in the democratic process of decision making; and to cooperate with women throughout the world to create the mutual respect and understanding necessary for the peaceful resolution of international conflict. It was early on that I contact VOW and asked for their support for The Fountain of Peace.  The request was taken to their board and once approved the letter of support followed.  However there has been much more then a letter of support.  They have invited information for their newsletter, and have also agreed to help through information, which they have already made available to educators.  They have support the project by providing contacts and the knowing they are there, this organization of women who have already established a successful voice in the work towards peace is also an inspiration.

I contacted Dr. Rogers, as I wanted to know more about Handwrites for Peace.  As a writer/author I was intrigued.  The more I came to know Dr. Rogers and actually participate in a consultation with her the more I understood how changing my handwriting could alter my thoughts.  I spend 80 days practicing and through this experience I can tell you my truth was that it did make a difference.  Hand writing for Peace is something I practice every day.  The more people who work towards personal peace the more we shall experience it! This I believe!  Dr. Rogers has supported The Fountain of Peace Project from the moment I had the opportunity to share it with her.  People around the world participate in the Institutes program and through the Institutes support they to will come to know The Fountain of Peace Project.  Dr. Rogers is a practitioner of Peace and an inspiration.

Jesse Tremblay, Don Bjornson, Sandi Playsted. After weeks of trying to find someone who could build the fountain I received an email from Don Bjornson from Playsted Steel in Victoria.  He said they could build it then gave me a quote.  Finally I had found someone who understood and could build the basin.  I went down to Playsted and met with Don to discuss which material would best withstand the movement and yet would be light enough that it could be easily moved.  I consulted with Garry Hilderman and he felt it was the best solution so I commissioned the fountain.  The Fountain was becoming real!  Jesse Tremblay built the fountain and when it was just about finished they invited me to come down to take a look.  I was thrilled and then had a chance to meet Sandi Playsted and talk to her about the Fountain of Peace Project.  The basin was finished and I went to pick it up.  It fit in my car, which was a huge relief!   That meant I would not have to try and purchase another vehicle to travel across the country.  I went in to pay for the basin and Sandi had reduced the cost significantly and offered the reduction as a donation to the project!  Her generosity made it possible to move forward and have the plumbing built!  Everyone at Playsted was excited about the basin and the project and I am so grateful to Sandi and her staff for the amazing basin that I know is strong enough to make the journey!  Thank You!

Douglas Walker's WaterWorks Garden Sculpture! I finally found Douglas Walker who is a master fountain maker and who was able to create the towers and plumbing.  Douglas placed a dime in every tower to regulate the flow and made it possible to hand up to 400+ stones.  The towers are durable and easily connected and taken apart making the construction and mobility of the fountain easy and quick.  Douglas turned on the pump and the water flowed for the first time! Yes the fountain was real!

Molly Raher Newman –Victoria British Columbia Christmas 2009 I called Molly to wish her and her husband Rod a Merry Christmas and it was through Molly’s insight that I came to understand how to involve the community, how to hang the stones on the towers and how to collect stones from around the world.  Molly suggested we launch the Fountain with a community celebration. She then suggested hanging the stones from around the world like a Christmas decoration and she would teach me how to wrap the stones in silver wire. Now originally the plan was to drill holes through the stones so they could be threaded onto the towers. I knew that would be impossible but did not have the solution. Thanks to Molly a huge stumbling block had been crossed. I think spoke with her about how to gather the stones and she suggested having a party and inviting the community to join in and donate a stone. I cannot thank Molly enough for her guidance and suggestions moved the Fountain of Peace project to the next step. Artist, Actress, Musician and Performer Molly Malone of Rig-Jig Celtic Street Band Molly Plays 14 instruments, covering 6 musical genres: ragtime,dixieland,celtic, blues,early music,& bluegrass. She is best known for her percussion-playing abilities, performing as special guest in various bands as well as studio musician in recording projects. Molly's energy in performance is matched by a sensitivity to her audiences and what it takes to make them enjoy the show. An international musician, she has played both sides of the border. She hosted several local TV interview shows for over five years, and has been on the local scene as a performer and "music facilitator" for 20 years with special events planning a specialty. Molly played the famous role of "Diamond Tooth Gertie"in Dawson City Yukon, and since that time she has had a certain sparkle in her smile, and became known around Victoria as "Diamond Tooth Molly" of the Tappin'Toes Jazz Band. Molly is also a member of the Victoria Mandolin Orchestra, the Island Thyme Morris Dancers, and she hosts an entertainment variety evening at the Blethering Place Restaurant called "Musical Trifle" on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month. Artist& Author Molly has played the role of EMILY CARR for over 4 years, appearing at Emily Carr House, the Royal British Columbia Museum, The Art Gallery of Victoria, and at community functions such as the Moss Street Paint-In, Gorge-On-Art, art gallery openings, street festivals, art fairs. Molly is an artist of 38 years, and yet Molly was inspired to perform in EMILY CARR's character to focus attention on the written works of EMILY CARR.

Valerie Pusey in concert with Snatam Kaur and Guru Ganasha Singh Valerie Pusey is the owner of Full Circle Studio Arts.  She is an art-marketing consultant, does original appraisals, and is a promoter of vocalist Snatam Kaur, Crystal Bowl Musician, and entertainer David Hickey. Valerie is also an visual artist , sculpture, and is probably best described as a renaissance woman. Above the entrance to her store reads” Peace In The World”. Valerie has supported the Fountain of Peace Project from the moment I shared it with her. At every opportunity she shares with those that visit Full Circle its vision. She has graciously given the Fountain of Peace a home and it is on display at the entrance of the gallery. Valerie hosted the Launch of the Fountain of Peace April 10, 2010 where the community was invited to participate by donating stones to the fountain and enjoying the children’s choir perform. Valerie has spent the last 25 years in retail, managing and owning numerous stores. She volunteers and donates to numerous charities from, the homeless, breast cancer, and environmental and educational fundraising initiatives. Thank you Valerie for your friendship and support and generosity.

Councillor Thornton-Joe bringing greeting from City of Victoria. I would like to thank Councillor Thornton-Joe for sharing her story of her family and for bringing a rock to donate to the Peace Fountain. It was an honour to have Councillor Thornton-Joe attend and participate in the Fountain of Peace Launch.  Thank you to the City of Victoria !

Annie Erickson – Victoria British Columbia Annie has been a huge supporter of the Fountain of Peace. She is an early learning educator, does social networking marketing. Annie is volunteer extraordinary and for the Fountain of Peace launch she made sure everyone had a grab bag filled with information, a huge chocolate chip cookie and stickers all wrapped up beautifully in her version of a taste of peace. Annie’s enthusiasm and zest for happiness and life in general is contagious.  She makes everyone believe anything is possible.

Ellisa Boyd – Victoria British Columbia Ellisa is a student at University of Victoria studying fine arts. Ellisa is an amazing young women filled with passion for travel and education. Ellisa has been a tireless volunteer helping with the launch of the Fountain of Peace, recording the stones and the stories of the stones along with our social networking.

Susan Boudreau - Victoria British Columbia Susan is a teacher who decided to do her internship in Africa. Susan volunteered to help with the Fountain of Peace documenting the stones and stories. Her passion for education, children and the betterment of mankind is directly related her passion for life.

Shirley Grosser Victoria British Columbia Shirley Grosser To me, it's meaningful that I was born in Northern Manitoba on an isolated reserve, and spent most of my formative years there. This taught me a respect for the natural world, a spiritual connection to the forests and rivers, and  the creative resiliency demanded by the stark environment. My adult life, and most of my formal education took place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where my European mother introduced me to an appreciation of music, theatre, and dance. My professional life, while trained in the field of Social Work, was inspired by notions of wholeness and adaptation, human spirit capacity and strengths in the context of adversity, and these principles were translated in to several courses created and taught in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba. Several of these ( Mind-Body Practice; Symbolic Interaction and Psychodrama;) were "firsts" (and likely "only" :-)) in the field. Along with a handful of educators across Canada, I was involved in the first curriculum developed in the field of HIV/A.I.D.S. Practice in Social Work. My contributions to health care in community settings were activated through a ten year board membership with Klinic Community Health Centre, several of these years on various committees, heading committees, and three years as Chair. I've also held memberships with the Canadian Association on Gerontology, and the Manitoba Action Committee on the Status of Women. I moved to Victoria permanently in 2009, and am now pursuing my other loves of studying art, and photographing people. All good wishes to you, Shirley

Jacqui Setter Jacqui - thank you for your support and for the beautiful opening blessing you did for The Fountain of Peace Launch

Yvonne Owens Thank you Yvonne for your support and for doing the closing blessing at the Fountain of Peace Launch

Jonathan Beals – Thank you Jonathan for your support for the Fountain of Peace, for always thinking of ways to get the message out and your connections with Vancouver schools.

Thank you to the organizers and volunteers of the Sidney Health Fair for inviting the Fountain of Peace to be on display during the Fair. Also for the beautiful heart shaped stone, which was blessed and filled with wishes of peace and donated to be hung on the fountain and follow its journey.

International Water Day.

A Flower of Life! July 25th at The Yurt - One Heart property.  Louise Taylor is a long time advocate for Peace . It is on her property known as the Yurt where the first Peace Pole in Canada was erected. I had the honour one day to meet Louise and we spent as much time as possible talking about Peace and the raising of peace consciousness. Thank you to Kawika David /David Blaikie for introducing me to Louise. Thank you David for your friendship and support and inviting The Fountain of Peace to be part of International Water Day.  Kawika David has dedicated his life to the service of others and the education and support of people living awake in this lifetime.  Pass the Message, Surf the Wave! Pamela Roberts – Thank you Pamela for your work as media coordinator for the Fountain of Peace Launch.  Also for always encouraging me to continue on this journey of peace.  Your friendship and support is most appreciated

Eve Hume- To Eve who always has an encouraging smile and hug ! Thank you for your help at the Launch of the Fountain of Peace! Tony Ring – Thank you Tony for your help, support and encouragement.  You have been most generous with your time and idea’s and contacts.  Know you are appreciated! Christopher  Parson – Thank you Chris for always being there to help and your support for the Fountain of Peace Project is greatly appreciated. Energy Expo Victoria BC - Thank you to the organizers of the Energy Expo for inviting the Fountain of Peace to be on Display during the Expo.