Three Cups of Tea recounts Mortenson’s unlikely journey from a failed attempt to climb Pakistan’s K2, the world’s second highest mountain, to building schools in remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Mortenson led a one-man mission to combat Islamic extremism and terrorism by building schools, especially schools for girls. While his effort started with passion, a $100 check from NBC’s Tom Brokaw and $623 in pennies from school children in River Falls, WI, it has resulted in the education of 24,000 children this year alone. Mortenson continues to champion education of girls as a top priority to promote economic development and now serves as the Director of the Central Asia Institute.
Mortenson will also be the guest speaker at the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza International Day of Peace, an event celebrating diversity and cultural heritage on Friday, September 19th and a fundraiser for the Rockford Public Library Foundation on Saturday, September 20th at the Forest Hills Country Club.
Copies of the book, discussion guides and other resources are available to individuals and groups through Rockford Public Library or by visiting http://www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org/services/programs/onebook.asp. The One Book, One Rockford program is sponsored by the Rockford Public Library Foundation, Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza and Rockford Public Library.
One Book, One Rockford 2008 Events
For more information, visit www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org or call (815) 965-7606, option 5.
Three Cups of Tea: A Discussion with David Oliver Relin
Wednesday, August 27th, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Rockford College Maddox Theater
5050 E. State St.
Kick-off the annual One Book, One Rockford community-wide reading program with this discussion led by author David Oliver Relin, co-author of Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time. Relin will recount Mortenson’s incredible humanitarian endeavor, and share the collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty and improve access to education in Pakistan and Afghanistan—particularly for girls—as one of the most effective means of countering Islamic extremism in the region. This event is free and open to the public. For tickets, call the Maddox Theater Box Office at (815) 226-4100.
One Book, One Rockford Author Lecture
Featuring Greg Mortenson
Friday, September 19th, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Coronado Performing Arts Center
314 N. Main St.
Three Cups of Tea recounts Mortenson’s unlikely journey from a failed attempt to climb Pakistan’s K2, the world’s second highest mountain, to building schools in remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Mortenson led a one-man mission to combat Islamic extremism and terrorism by building schools, especially schools for girls. While his effort started with passion, a $100 check from NBC’s Tom Brokaw and $623 in pennies from school children in River Falls, WI, it has resulted in the education of 24,000 children this year alone. Mortenson continues to champion education of girls as a top priority to promote economic development and now serves as the Director of the Central Asia Institute. Join us and hear his inspiring story firsthand. A book signing will follow. This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available at any Rockford Public Library location or through the Coronado Theater Box office at (815) 968-0595.
An Evening with Greg Mortenson: A Fundraiser for Rockford Public Library Foundation
Saturday, September 20th, 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Forest Hills Country Club
5135 Forest Hills Rd.
Join the Rockford Public Library Foundation for a dinner with Greg Mortenson. Greg Mortenson’s book Three Cups of Tea…One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace One School at a Time speaks about the importance of education. Now, you can hear more of Mortenson’s thoughts and experiences while benefiting education right here in Rockford. The evening will feature a cocktail hour, music, dinner, a live auction and of course, a lecture by Mortenson. Be inspired by his tale and help Rockford Public Library continue to entertain, educate and enlighten. Tickets are $100, and corporate tables and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Renee Jensen, Development Officer at Rockford Public Library at (815) 987-6611.
Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza International Day of Peace Celebration
Friday, September 19, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Keeling Puri Peace Plaza
McFarland Rd near Riverside
The 6th annual International Day of Peace at the Peace Plaza brings together school children from the Rock River Valley to celebrate the cultural diversity of our region and make known their wishes for a culture of peace within our community and our world. Greg Mortenson, author of the bestselling book Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace One School at Time will speak to the children throughout the morning. Local schools, businesses and individuals are participating in a “Pennies for Peace Campaign” to raise $50,000 to give to Mr. Mortenson’s Central Asia Institute to build and endow a school, in Afghanistan as a gift from the children of the Rock River Valley. This presentation will take place at noon during the International Day of Peace.
For more information about the International Day of Peace or donating to the “Pennies for Peace Campaign”, visit www.keeling-puri-peaceplaza.com.
About the Library
The Rockford Public Library, founded in 1872 as the second library in Illinois, currently has six facilities, including the Main Library and five Branch Libraries. The Rockford Public Library’s mission is to enhance community life and development by informing, educating, entertaining, and providing cultural enrichment to all people of all ages by collecting information to address the diverse interests of our dynamic community.
