The time of year has come again for a local organization to convey a message of hope for world peace in a ribbon ceremony that takes place every year in Lake Havasu City.

Diana Parker/News-Herald Photo/File Participants of the 2007 Ribbon International ceremony gather in front of Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church to display their creations.

The Ribbon International organization strives to show their support of keeping children safe in a world without war. In Lake Havasu City, local representatives of the international organization have gathered locally every October 24 since 1999 in observance of United Nations/United Peoples Day.

The organization encourages individuals to get involved and design their own ribbon to show their appreciation of Lake Havasu City or to send their own message of peace by designing their own ribbon.

“It’s amazing what kids and adults can do when given the chance to express themselves,” said Ribbon International representative Marlene De Filippis.

The Ribbon International packet is provided to anyone interested in creating a ribbon and contains a letter informing the participant of the mission, a story of a ribbon ceremony in Holland, sewing directions about how to make a peace ribbon, and a brochure highlighting some of the organization’s milestones.

“It’s not costly to make a ribbon,” De Filippis said.

The finished ribbons are a 36-inch by 18-inch panel of fabric, according to the sewing instructions from the packet. They are later tied, one to the next, with ribbons attached to each corner of the panel. The panel itself is where an individual’s creativity and personalization of the message happens.

Last year’s ceremony was attended by 50 people who represented 53 ribbons. The goal for this year’s celebration is 100 ribbons.

Certain ribbons are selected each year and travel to the Ribbon International headquarters in New York. From there, select ribbons are employed in ceremonies at the sight of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and are even presented to foreign countries by representatives of the United Nations in a gesture of hope and peace.

This year’s Ribbon International event will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church Friday, October 24 at 5:10 p.m. The church is located at 1975 Daytona Avenue.

Anyone interested in creating a ribbon of peace for the October 24 celebration may contact Marlene De Fillipis 680-5624.