Her comment prompted me to ask, "With the first World Hoop Day last year proving to be such a major success, one that even earned a Hoopie Award, how is 2008 shaping up?" She explained, "Well, more people know about it, more people are making things happen, and better yet - more people are aware of the need to give. The newer communities seem to be coming into the mix hooping for peace, which is great, and then they realize just how much more can be accomplished around the world by giving. Everything makes a greater impact and by 12/12/2012, even if the whole world doesn't have a hoop, even with those who won't ever feel like hooping, I truly believe we will be synching up all over the world! I know it can be done! It can! Peace is a lot of work, but it can be done!"

Annie explained that there are three World Hoop Day "Ambassadors" this year who have received WHD funding, another step up that demonstrates just how the event is growing. "Danielle is off to Rwanda with Engineers Without Borders and they're all hooping while constructing irrigation systems, using the irrigation tubing to make hoops along the way. Joanne from the UK is busy in Israel and Palestine in her efforts to set something up there this year. And Dove from Upstate New York and her husband have joined the Peace Corps and are now in Cape Verde where they are actively spreading the joy of hooping."

Her exciting news really started to give me even more of the global magnitude of what's to come. I asked, "What else is happening in the World this year Annie that you know about so far?" Off the top of her head she started reeling off places. "In Tokyo, Japan, the Hoop Lovers and Hoop Store Tokyo have joined forces, doing something amazing for orphans in the city. In Australia, Bunny and the Hoop Empire are making things happen, while on the other side of the country there's the greatest stripper who has been giving hoops to the Aboriginal people. She was hooping in the street and attracting attention and several asked her, 'What's that?' so she helped them make their own hoops and is making more and giving them away. I asked if she needed funding and she told me she made more than enough money stripping to share the joy."

Other countries she reeled off included The Philippines, Scotland, England, Mexico, Finland, a big event in Germany being orchestra by Hoopla Berlin - there were too many places to remember them all. In the U.S. she also started roll calling cities, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, The Carolinas. "There are several events in Wisconsin," she was sure to mention. I asked her about plans in San Francisco. She explained, "It's happening this year on Treasure Island with a Treasure Island/Peter Pan theme that is being hosted by Miss Rosie. There are also 500 formerly homeless at-risk kids living on the Island and we plan to have a hoop for every one of them. It's great this year that World Hoop Day is the same day as the opening of the Olympics! We'll be bringing those Olympic Rings to life!"

How can you help? How can you get involved? Go to World Hoop Day.com and get your area on the map. "Donations are always being accepted all year long and the monies go to other areas in greater need. You can also pick up your WHD T-shirts and Stickers, the proceeds of which go to making things happen. But most of all is to plan an event in your local area."

Annie reminded me about the contest this year too, an extra added incentive to do something wonderful already. The person giving away the most hoops this year, with a notarized total, will win a PSI Hoop donated by Groove Hoops. The second place prize includes 3 Cirque du Soleil hoops. There are Hoopnotica travel hoop prizes and more too!"

For more World Hoop Day information please World Hoop Day.com.