By Kelly Garrity, news correspondent

Thousands of people from across Massachusetts will head to Boston Common Sept. 23 as the Children’s Services of Roxbury (CSR) attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the largest human peace sign ever. The gates open at 10 a.m. at the Boston Common parade grounds and formation of the peace sign starts at 11:30.

CSR President Sandra McCroom said the organization aids family needs by providing early education and care through their Education Center, permanent placements for foster children and behavioral and health services. The organization also helps homeless families and currently has 171 families in their shelter program. CSR hopes this event will expose their work and help them gain more donation-based funding from those around the community they serve.

“The goal of the event is to gain name recognition,” McCroom said.

The work CSR hopes to do this weekend is two-fold: raise awareness for their cause and spread a positive message of peace.

“Peace starts at home, and that’s really what we want the kids to see,” McCroom said.

The latest attempt to break the record was made in October 2016 by Yoko Ono, widow of Beatles member John Lennon. However, according the Guinness World Records judge present at the Central Park attempt, the attempt did not attract enough people to break the 2009 record of 5,814 people, set during the annual Ithaca Festival in Ithaca, NY.

The Boston Common event will also include keynote speakers, live music, games and activities. Peace of Mind is a free event, but CSR is accepting donations. Participants can register online before the event..