TREE OF HOPE Tree Lighting Ceremony, Concert & Party

Mayor & Mrs. Gavin Newsom & The Rainbow World Fund
Invite The Public to the 3rd Annual
TREE OF HOPE Tree Lighting Ceremony, Concert & Party
Tues. Dec. 9 • 5:30 pm at San Francisco’s City Hall

Thousands Worldwide Contribute Wishes for the Future Of The World
to Decorate a TREE OF HOPE in San Francisco’s City Hall

The TREE OF HOPE will be on public view from Dec. 4, 08 to Jan 2, 09.

“The Tree of Hope is an exciting community project and a chance for the City of San Francisco’s compassion to be seen and heard throughout the world promoting peace and humanitarianism.” – SF Mayor Gavin Newsom.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Jennifer Siebel Newsom and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) charity Rainbow World Fund (RWF), the international aid agency based in the LGBT and friends community, announce plans to unveil THE TREE OF HOPE in a unique public dedication ceremony Tues., Dec. 9, 2008 - 5:30 pm at San Francisco’s City Hall Rotunda - 1 Dr.Carlton Goodlett Place 94103. This 20 foot holiday tree, generously donated by The Delancey Street Foundation, will be resplendent with 5000 white origami cranes & silver stars, each containing written wishes for the future of the world from individuals across the nation and around the world.

The tree lighting ceremony and party is a free event that begins with a concert at 5:30 pm by The San Francisco Boys Chorus. It continues with remarks scheduled for 6:00 pm by Mayor Gavin Newsom. Donna Sachet will be the emcee; Rev. Lea Brown of SF Metropolitan Community Church and
Rev. Nobuakl Hanaoka (an atomic bomb survivor) will be officiating the tree lighting. A party with light refreshments and drinks will continue until 8:00 pm.
Singer Veronica Klaus will entertain at the party. Admission is free.

The TREE OF HOPE will be on public view from Dec. 4, 08 to Jan 2, 09.

People worldwide are invited to send their wishes for the future of the world,
the wishes, will be folded into thousands of origami cranes, by a team of origami enthusiasts including survivors of the 1945 atomic bomb. The project is a collaboration between San Francisco’s LGBT and Japanese - American communities and includes the participation of elementary, middle, and high schools in San Francisco. It is inspired by the story of Sadako Sasaki, the child whose journey and death several years after the bomb was dropped in Hiroshima, transformed the origami crane into a symbol of world peace.

Contributions from Senators to school children, from San Francisco to Sri Lanka, make City Hall's holiday tree a unique and powerful symbol of unity and hope. Some notable wishes on the tree will include those of Dame Jane Goodall,
Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Mayor Gavin Newsom, Frances Moore Lappe, Danielle Steel, and Stanley Gatti.

About Rainbow World Fund:
Founded in 2000, RWF is an international humanitarian service agency based in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and friends community. RWF’s mission is to promote LGBT philanthropy in the area of world humanitarian relief. RWF works to help people who suffer from hunger, poverty, disease, oppression and war by raising awareness and funds to support relief efforts around the world.

Wishes can be sent to Rainbow World Fund, PO Box 14480, SF, CA 94114
or E Mailed via RWF website: http://www.rainbowfund.org/wish
(Wishes recorded in the guest book at City Hall will be added to the tree throughout December.)

CALENDAR LISTINGS: Events/ Benefits

WHAT: Rainbow World Fund presents the 3rd Annual

TREE OF HOPE Tree Lighting Ceremony, Concert & Party - A holiday tree decorated with 5000 white origami cranes & Silver stars, each containing written messages of hope & peace from children and individuals from around the world.

WHO: The tree lighting ceremony and party is a free event that begins with a concert at 5:30 pm by The San Francisco Boys Chorus.

Remarks scheduled for 6:00 pm by Mayor Gavin Newsom.

Donna Sachet will be the emcee. Rev. Lea Brown of SF MCC and Rev. Nobuakl Hanaoka (an atomic bomb survivor) will be officiating the tree lighting. A party with light refreshments and drinks continues until 8:00 pm. Veronica Klaus will entertain at the party.

WHEN: Tues. Dec. 9, 2008 • 5:30 pm (Admission is free.)

(The TREE OF HOPE will be on public view from Dec. 4, 08 – Jan 2, 09.)

WHERE: San Francisco’s City Hall Rotunda

1 Dr.Carlton Goodlett Place (Van Ness & Grove Sts.) SF 94102

INFO: 415/ 431-1485 or http://www.RainbowFund.org

YOU TUBE CLIP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCT4PqCiQhE