'Night of a Thousand Dinners' benefit to raise land mine awareness

LAWRENCE -- Land mines kill and maim thousands of people every year. Next week, Lawrence will be one of more than 1,000 communities worldwide raising awareness about this ongoing problem.

Lawrence residents are invited to the third annual Night of a Thousand Dinners, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave. The event, sponsored by the Office of International Programs at the University of Kansas, will be an international potluck. Participants are encouraged but not required to bring a dish to share. Attendees are encouraged to make a contribution to the project.

Raffle prizes will include an Adopt-A-Minefield T-shirt, a "No More Land Mine" T-shirt and a limited edition lithograph by Paul McCartney, "Amnesty."

This event is sponsored internationally by Adopt-A-Minefield. Since its beginning in 1999, the group has raised nearly $10 million for mine clearance and survivor assistance. Paul McCartney and Heather Mills McCartney are the good will ambassadors.

"Last year we raised more than $3,000 from individuals who participated in dinners throughout the community," said Diana Carlin, dean of the KU graduate school and international programs. "This is Lawrence's chance to come together, enjoy a meal, and take action toward eradicating land mines."

Rotary International and People to People International are local sponsors for the event. For more information about Adopt-A-Minefield, visit www.landmines.org. For more information about the Lawrence event, and to RSVP, call the Office of International Programs, (785) 864-6161.