"Peace In Pompton" Driveway Stencil Program
Have you noticed an erosion in our community?
Everywhere that you go these days, you can observe signs. They all read a bit differently from place to place, but they all have the same basic message. They plead with the public to be respectful and kind to their client/customer/patient-facing employees. From doctor's waiting rooms to the DMV to your local oil change place, businesses and organizations have found it necessary to bring attention to this epidemic of aggressive and intolerant behavior spreading everywhere. ​
​
We hear instance after instance of a patient abusing a nurse, or a customer treating the local store cashier at Lidl rudely. In general, we need more kindness, mindfulness and peace between neighbors. But how?
​
If you walk around Pompton Lakes, N.J., one of the things that you notice in some places is that peace signs have been stenciled in random places. There is one at a local park, our walking club saw one on a manhole cover on our morning walk as well. We stopped and took a photo around it and as we continued our walk we discussed the current state of affairs in our society and we agreed that the world needs more peace among people.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
We all came to the conclusion that it would be very nice to live in a place with people who value peace between members of the community. But we would not have had this discussion had we not happened onto the peace sign in the first place. Perhaps some of you know who placed these peace signs around town. They call him Smitty and he is a lifelong Pompton Lakes resident. His message was simple, to spread peace. This is a picture that I took with him at Pompton Day, maybe you recognize him.
​
Smitty is definitely a "Friendly Tolerable Character" of Pompton Lakes! I went and I visited him and we had a talk. I got to know him a little bit and he is definitely one of the good guys. When you arrive at the recycling yard in Pompton Lakes, he is there to help you. Always a smile, always kind. Peaceful and friendly. And all of this got me to thinking...movements always start with one person. And his movement should start right here in Pompton Lakes and spread outward. that if we all participate we can spread peace among ourselves and we could start the discussion all over.
​
We would like to invite you to participate in the "Peace In Pompton" Program!​
​
Participation will include having a peace sign stenciled onto your driveway. You will take a picture with your family in your driveway with your peace sign and post to social media, using the hashtags: #PeaceinPompton #SmittyWasHere #FriendlyTolerableCharacters. Doing this will promote Peace in Pompton Lakes!
​
The cost to have your RED "Peace in Pompton" driveway peace sign stenciled is $25.00. 20% of the proceeds from Peace in Pompton will be given to The St. Mary's Food Pantry, right here in Pompton Lakes.
​
Yes, I would like to participate!
Allow one week for stenciling of your "Peace In Pompton" Driveway Peace Sign, Red.
20% Donation will be made to The St. Mary's Food Pantry for each "Peace in Pompton" order! *You agree to take a picture in front of your house with the peace sign and to post to social media using the hashtags: #PeaceInPompton #SmittyWasHere. If you do not have social media, it is ok, you can still receive your stencil!