Advocates of Peace club members recently participated in Halloween events including Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and the college’s carnival. They are a very active club, said English Professor Stephen Morrow, who is faculty sponsor of the club.

Members raised money for needy children while hosting the UNICEF event Oct. 23 and Oct. 29. With the money, the kids are able to receive food, vaccines and even toys.

During OCCC’s Halloween carnival, the club had a booth where they encouraged kids to paint peace rocks and decorate them with googly eyes meant to encourage kids to be non-violent.

“We’re sending out the message ‘Peace Rocks’,” said Kimberly Aguirre, member and biology major.

Morrow said, starting this month, the club will host a number of events.

“We’re having a documentary series on Islamic culture this semester,” he said.

The series will start at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 7 in the Student Union.

Morrow said the club also will participate in Peace Festival on Nov. 9 in downtown Oklahoma City.

On Nov. 25, Morrow said, the club will provide bags and care packages for the homeless which will include clothes from the a two-week drive they have planned on campus. Students can pick up bags to give to people that are in need. The bags also will include food and gloves.

Morrow said some club favorites also will return.

“We try to do [free hugs] twice a semester. And then [conduct] a protest in the cafeteria. We try to do that once a month.”

The club will offer free hugs again at the end of the semester.

Morrow said Advocates of Peace is all about helping others and making a difference within the school.

“We want it to be a club, an organization for students … a safe place for students to share and explore progressive ideas and making our community a better place,” he said.

Aguirre said Advocates of Peace help students build relationships and make differences as individuals within the community.

“We all have basically the same mission — we want to help people,” she said.

Aguirre said the club has about 80 members.

She said members encourage other students to join but say that there is no pressure.

“… It’s really laid back. Whenever you have time, we really appreciate [students] being there.”

Morrow said as the club grows and becomes more active, they are hoping to work with other clubs on community issues.

For more information about the Advocates of Peace or meeting times, call 405-682-1611, ext. 7350, email smorrow@occc.edu or visit www.facebook.com/occcadvocatesofpeace.