A new symbol of peace, hope, and unity is coming to Downtown Manteca.
On Friday, July 10, at 6 p.m., community members are invited to gather at Rotary Plaza in the 100 block of North Maple Avenue for the unveiling and ribbon cutting of Manteca's first Peace Pole installed in a public citywide location.
The ceremony will celebrate not only a new landmark for the city, but also months of collaboration between the Interact Club of Manteca, City of Manteca staff, and the Rotary Club of Manteca.
The Peace Pole project was the brainchild of the inaugural Board of Directors of the Interact Club of Manteca. The project demonstrates how young people can turn an idea into a lasting community legacy. Leading the effort has been Interact Club President Nihar Jain, who worked closely with Mayor Gary Singh and City of Manteca Recreation and Community Services Department Manager Brandy Clark to bring the vision to life.
Together, they expanded the project beyond the simple installation of a Peace Pole by helping transform the park on North Maple Avenue into Rotary Plaza, creating a renewed gathering place that reflects the community's investment in downtown beautification.
"This project shows what can happen when young people are given the opportunity to lead," said Jain. "Hope and peace go hand in hand. We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with the City of Manteca and the Rotary Club of Manteca, who believed in our vision from the very beginning."
Sponsored in part by the City of Manteca as part of its ongoing commitment to beautifying downtown, the project also received significant support from the Rotary Club of Manteca.
Rotary funded improvements to the plaza: the installation of decorative lava rock surrounding the Peace Pole site, helping create a welcoming public space that reflects pride in both Rotary and the downtown community.
That transformation became a reality on June 24, when members of the Rotary Club of Manteca, the Interact Club of Manteca, City of Manteca staff, and community volunteers gathered for a community workday. Volunteers installed weed barrier fabric and spread decorative lava rock across the previously bare dirt surrounding the plaza, demonstrating that the project truly was built by many hands working together toward a common purpose.
Standing six feet tall, the cedar Peace Pole bears the universal message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in eight languages: Arabic, English, French, Mandarin, Punjabi, Portuguese, Spanish, and Tagalog.
As one of more than 250,000 Peace Poles around the world, it joins a global movement dedicated to promoting peace, understanding, and respect among all people.
The July 10 ceremony was intentionally scheduled during the United Nations International Weekend of Hope, leading into the International Day of Hope on July 12.
Organizers say the timing reflects the close connection between hope and peace, especially during a time when communities around the world continue to seek unity and healing.
The evening will include a non-denominational prayer, messages of peace from elected officials and community leaders, a ceremonial ribbon cutting, and the official unveiling of the Peace Pole.
Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend and take part in the celebration. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the project is that every step, from the initial concept and planning to fundraising, partnerships, event coordination, and implementation, has been youth-led and youth-initiated.
The inaugural Interact Club Board of Manteca set out with a vision to leave a meaningful gift and new landmark for the community, proving that today's young leaders are committed to building a more hopeful and peaceful future.
The Peace Pole will stand permanently at Rotary Plaza as a reminder that peace begins within each individual and grows when communities choose to work together. Organizers hope it will become a place for reflection, celebration, and unity for generations to come.
Community members are invited to attend the unveiling and witness the dedication of a project that reflects the best of Manteca: young people leading with purpose, neighbors working together, and a community choosing hope, peace, and service.
The mural overlooking the plaza across from the main post office was commissioned by the Manteca Rotary.
It depicts the international service club’s efforts in literacy and other areas including its marquee Polio Plus project launched in 1the 1980s with the goal of eradicating polio worldwide.
