With winter break quickly approaching, charity organizations and religious groups are working to promote holiday spirit amongst Winona State University students.
The Winona State Greens will host their fifth annual Holiday March for Peace at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 11.
The march will start at Lake Lodge near the band shell on Lake Winona.
Participants will walk to an area by Target for a small demonstration, said Greens chair Amber Gaster.
Gaster said they usually have about 25 to 30 people turn out, but they are hoping for more this year.
She said she hopes people will come and encourage others to join together as a community to work toward peace, and she believes the Iraq war makes peace even more significant.
She said that everyone, regardless of their political beliefs, is encouraged attend.
“We are really hoping students will come out and join us this year,” said Gaster.
Winona State Greens member Nick Tess said it is important for people to spread peaceful messages throughout society.
Tess said the holiday season should be a celebration of peace, goodwill and charity, and not a season focused on consumerism or spending.
He added that the war’s death toll “brings the consequences of violence closer to home.” The WSU Greens are also working with Winona Catholic Workers, Winona Area Peacemakers, Winona County Green Party, Winona Food not Bombs and St. Mary’s Peace and Justice Group on this march.
Winona’s Food not Bombs group is providing food after the march at the Lake Lodge.
The WSU Greens will collect monetary donations at this event to help pay for the costs of the march.