Mauricio Santiago and Luis Reyes, juniors at College of Idaho, are South American natives. Santiago is from Brazil. Reyes is from Peru. They’re putting a $10,000 grant they received from the Davis Projects for Peace Foundation to creative use this summer.

They’ve created a project called “Peace Me the Ball.” They will travel to Santiago’s hometown, Lauro Freitas, in July and spend a month there working with kids, many of whom are homeless.

Santiago and Reyes, majoring in business and anthropology, respectively, will coach soccer and teach other topics, including the dangers of drugs and other threats through the program.

In preparation for their trip, Santiago and Reyes have set up a Facebook page (connect at idahostatesman.com). They’ve already held several on-campus fundraisers and drummed up support from professors, the International Student Organization and the community. Some of the money they’ve raised is paying for new soccer equipment that they’ll leave behind in Brazil.

If you’d like to help, there’s still time. All donations to “Peace Me the Ball” are tax-deductible. Call 559-4457 or email peacemetheballproject@yahoo.com for more.

Santiago and Reyes grew up playing soccer. They met while attending an international high school in Costa Rica. Both came to study at C of I through the Davis United World College program.

TRINITY LUTHERAN COMMUNITY GARDENERS NEED YOU

The group is known for its end-of-the-season gleaning projects that have saved tons of fresh, healthy vegetables from going to waste. But they plant and maintain community gardens as well. The harvest goes to local food pantries.

The Trinity crew will be out in force on Saturday. They welcome volunteers to help plant 1,500 cool-weather seedlings (500 each of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower).

If you’d like to pitch in, show up at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 7, at 9387 Snafflebit in Kuna. Bring a hand trowel and your friends. Organizers say this is a big job.

For more: trinitygardensinc@yahoo.com or 442-0535.

ART FOR ANIMALS

The Idaho Humane Society invites kids to enter a drawing in the “Be Kind to Animals” art contest.

Here are the requirements:

Æ On a sheet of paper (up to 11-by-14 inches) draw your idea of what being kind to animals looks like.

Æ One entry per child; contestants must color their own entry form without assistance.

Æ Winners will be chosen from three age groups: younger than 6; 7 to 10; and 11 to 13.

Download an entry form from the Idaho Humane Society’s website (link at idahostatesman.com), tape it to the back of your drawing, and drop your entry off by July 14 at the shelter, 4775 Dorman St., or mail it to Humane Education c/o the Idaho Humane Society at the above address (83705 ZIP code).

Winners will be notified by phone July 18. Winning drawings will be displayed on the society’s website.

Each winner (and a parent) will receive a tour of the Idaho Humane Society, an ice cream party, and get to participate in a craft to help shelter animals

All entries will be on display at the Idaho Humane Society.

POP’S DOG HOUSE GOES TO THE DOGS

One of the more festive fast-food purveyors in town also has its heart in the right place.

It’s hosting the Idaho Humane Society, noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 7, 5467 N. Glenwood St.

There will be adoptable hounds there, along with miniature horse Serena (the size of a large dog, say organizers), and mascots Scooby Doo and Hot Dog Harry. A box will be set up to collect donations of pet food. The Humane Society will receive 15 percent of the sales that day.

Contact Nancy or Bud Katich at 602-9718.

Anna Webb: 377-6431