The SADD Tree of Life Ceremony is held every year by Salems chapter of SADD. This year the art, music and poetry section of SADD is contributing music to try to raise peoples awarness on how destructive decisions affect our lives. We will be performing songs in honor of those who have seen tragedy because of these destructive decisions. Although this section of SADD was just recently put togther in the last week we are trying to make a difference not only in our community, but everywhere. The poverty and war that goes on around us today could be made that much better by a little music, art or poetry. We are trying to uplift people to show them that there is always someone there for help.

One of the ways we are trying to improve everything around us is by having benefit concerts put on by the kids in the community to help raise money for people who don't have a place to go or food for the holidays. Also we are organizing a monthly poetry night at our school so the kids in the community can see that they can also help the effor on making a better home for our neighbors and friends.

When I first put this group together it seemed pretty farfetched. I was just going out on a limb and figured since I loved music so much that maybe others would want to encorporate that into helping the community also. On December 15, 2008 my group has a meeting set up with our principal and super intendent to discuss what we are doing. They believe that this is the way to get kids involved which is exactly what we are trying to do. We have grabbed the attention of so many kids in our school from elementary to high school who want to be a part of this. They have they same idea as we do take our special gifts and make them work for others.

Other people can help this organization by contacting Salem Central School at 518-854-7600 and asking for the extension to Ms. Lewis. Also people can take from our ideas and try to find their own ways to improve their community through things they are skilled at.