A Time for Courage - Mattie's Message
“Courage
and creativity
are essential
to seeking and
planning peace.”
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
April is National Poetry Month
& April 15 is World Arts Day
Mattie’s Foundation celebrates the power of
creativity to express hope,
to cultivate peace,
and to inspire compassion.
We encourage members and followers
of Mattie’s Foundation to share
creative expressions of peace
– especially this month –
with courage.
What's Been Happening...
Registration is open
for the inaugural
Mattie Stepanek
Cornhole Tournament
(takes place during the
July 11 Peace Day event)…
Mattie’s Foundation celebrates
“World Arts Day” proclamation
with other local leaders
during the April 14
Montgomery County Maryland
Council meeting…
What's About to Happen...
PEACE DAY 2026
July 11 (2-5 pm)
Join Mattie’s Foundation, World of Beer Rockville, Tommy McFly (NBCNews4), Jimmy Alexander (WTOP), Ocho de Bastos, The Blarney Bench, ZamDance, local leaders & neighbors, and more – for an afternoon of music, family friendly crafts and activities, food and fellowship, a community “Toast2Peace” and the inaugural Mattie Stepanek Cornhole Tournament!
What We're Working On...
Mattie’s Virtual Museum
Peace – Purpose – Play
an interactive online experience!
Mattie’s Foundation is seeking sponsorships and grant support as we develop the first of this three phase project (archive and organize the materials, develop and create the site, and launch and disseminate the galleries and spaces for exploring, connecting, and learning by local and global neighbors.
If you would like to learn more
or support this project,
please let us know:
INFO@MattiesPeaceFoundation.org
What Our Partners4Peace Are Doing...
Annual Contest Accepting Submissions
– Poetry, Art, Film, Spoken Word Categories –
The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Poetry Contest was established by the My HERO Project with Mattie’s Peace Foundation in honor of late teen poet Mattie Stepanek.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
JUNE 1
LEARN MORE HERE…
What You Can Do to Support Our Work...
LAST CALL!!!
DEADLINE – APRIL 30
Final brick order of 2026.
Personalized bricks make great gifts (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations, retirements, birthdays, anniversaries) or they can simply be a “forever” way of sharing a brief message of hope or peace!
SPECIAL 20% OFF:
Donate $199 (usually $250)
to sponsor a gift brick
until April 30, 2026!
Use CODE “BRICKSALE2026”
Bricks will be installed in Mattie’s Park & Peace Garden this summer.
When your business, organization
or family sponsors
our Peace Day event –
we celebrate you big time!
Depending on the sponsorship level, your logo / name is displayed on event signage, our website and PR materials, and social media. Upper level sponsors are invited to offer a brief remark and join leaders on stage for the community Toast2Peace!
Mattie’s Peace Foundation is a volunteer-based non-profit that relies on the generous support of our donors and sponsors.
Monthly, annual, and one-time gifts help us move peace from abstract ideas and attitudes to hands-on activities and practices.
Thank you for choosing to help us continue Mattie’s mission and vision for moving from Heartsongs (inner purpose & peace) to mosaics (collective purpose & peace).
SHARE YOUR GIFT HERE…
What Matters...