Chicago Karate Kids to Perform at Fundraiser for Scholarships and Violence Prevention Outreach
Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center, NFP, to Challenge Students with 1,000 Punches and 1,000 Kicks at Punch & Kick-a-Thon
Chicago, IL, October 16, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self Defense Center, NFP, is challenging its young karate students to complete 1,000 punches and 1,000 kicks in two hours at its annual Punch & Kick-a-Thon fundraiser on Saturday, October 24, 2009. The event will raise funds for Thousand Waves' violence prevention and outreach programs, as well as for a scholarship fund that enables students with financial hardships to study self-defense and karate at the center on Belmont Avenue.
This charity event will have students – ranging in age from four to 14 – collect pledges of financial support and then prove their non-quitting spirit in the intensive karate workout. Also featured at the event will be demonstrations by teen black belts and students from the Adapted Seido Karate program, a martial arts program for children with physical disabilities offered by Thousand Waves in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's Caring for Kids program.
“It’s exhausting to do 1000 punches and kicks, and even we adult teachers who lead the workout have to dig deep to meet the challenge,” says Thousand Waves’ Co-Director, Nancy Lanoue, a 6th degree black belt who oversees the training of the center’s 275 youth members. “Everyone who witnesses the Punch & Kick-a-Thon is inspired by the non-quitting spirit the kids display. But the athletic challenge is easy compared to the fundraising challenge, being brave enough to ask for pledges. This event gives our kids an opportunity to learn and practice how to speak up and advocate for something important to them, and that’s a valuable life skill.”
The financial goal for this year’s Punch & Kick-a-thon is $25,000. Funds will support Thousand Waves’ scholarship fund, which since the center’s founding in1985, has awarded over $225,000 in waived fees for martial arts and violence prevention classes for children, teens, and adults, and for workshops and courses for staff and clients at non-profit organizations with no budget for trainings. Other programs benefiting from the fundraiser include the Adapted Seido Karate (ASK) program for children with disabilities and Meditations on Activism, a free public lecture series that raises awareness about global conflicts, explores the causes of violence, and suggests non-violent solutions.
To inspire their members to try their best, Thousand Waves rewards its young fundraisers each year with a sleepover party at the center featuring pizza, a sundae bar and movies to celebrate their achievement. The kids enjoy the rewards they receive for their hard work, and their parents get the treat of a night off. But, Lanoue explains, “For those of us who have the job of getting over 100 kids to eventually quiet down and get in their sleeping bags, the Punch & Kick-a-Thon challenge isn’t over till parents pick up their kids the next morning.”
What:
Punch & Kick-a-thon 2009
Where:
The Drucker Center
1535 N. Dayton St.
Chicago, IL 60622
When:
October 24, 2009
Schedule:
Little Kick & Juniors Event -- 10 to 12:30 p.m.
500 punches & 500 kicks,
Followed by Awards/Pizza Party
Adapted Seido Karate & Teen Black Belt Demonstration -- 12:30 to 1 p.m.
Youth & Teens Event -- 1 to 3:30 p.m.
1,000 Punches & 1,000 Kicks
Followed by Awards/Dojo Sleepover
###
About Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center, NFP:
Since 1985, Thousand Waves has fostered fitness, healing, empowerment, and peacemaking through traditional karate, fitness, and violence prevention programs. The center on Belmont offers classes 7-days a week for adults and children ages 4 and up. Workshops and courses related to Thousand Waves’ core programs are available to schools, non-profits, and corporate clients throughout Chicago. Thousand Waves welcomes everyone without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, athletic ability or previous experience. The center is committed to accessibility, and provides scholarships to individuals and organizations that need financial assistance in order to participate. For more information, please visit www.thousandwaves.org.
This charity event will have students – ranging in age from four to 14 – collect pledges of financial support and then prove their non-quitting spirit in the intensive karate workout. Also featured at the event will be demonstrations by teen black belts and students from the Adapted Seido Karate program, a martial arts program for children with physical disabilities offered by Thousand Waves in conjunction with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's Caring for Kids program.
“It’s exhausting to do 1000 punches and kicks, and even we adult teachers who lead the workout have to dig deep to meet the challenge,” says Thousand Waves’ Co-Director, Nancy Lanoue, a 6th degree black belt who oversees the training of the center’s 275 youth members. “Everyone who witnesses the Punch & Kick-a-Thon is inspired by the non-quitting spirit the kids display. But the athletic challenge is easy compared to the fundraising challenge, being brave enough to ask for pledges. This event gives our kids an opportunity to learn and practice how to speak up and advocate for something important to them, and that’s a valuable life skill.”
The financial goal for this year’s Punch & Kick-a-thon is $25,000. Funds will support Thousand Waves’ scholarship fund, which since the center’s founding in1985, has awarded over $225,000 in waived fees for martial arts and violence prevention classes for children, teens, and adults, and for workshops and courses for staff and clients at non-profit organizations with no budget for trainings. Other programs benefiting from the fundraiser include the Adapted Seido Karate (ASK) program for children with disabilities and Meditations on Activism, a free public lecture series that raises awareness about global conflicts, explores the causes of violence, and suggests non-violent solutions.
To inspire their members to try their best, Thousand Waves rewards its young fundraisers each year with a sleepover party at the center featuring pizza, a sundae bar and movies to celebrate their achievement. The kids enjoy the rewards they receive for their hard work, and their parents get the treat of a night off. But, Lanoue explains, “For those of us who have the job of getting over 100 kids to eventually quiet down and get in their sleeping bags, the Punch & Kick-a-Thon challenge isn’t over till parents pick up their kids the next morning.”
What:
Punch & Kick-a-thon 2009
Where:
The Drucker Center
1535 N. Dayton St.
Chicago, IL 60622
When:
October 24, 2009
Schedule:
Little Kick & Juniors Event -- 10 to 12:30 p.m.
500 punches & 500 kicks,
Followed by Awards/Pizza Party
Adapted Seido Karate & Teen Black Belt Demonstration -- 12:30 to 1 p.m.
Youth & Teens Event -- 1 to 3:30 p.m.
1,000 Punches & 1,000 Kicks
Followed by Awards/Dojo Sleepover
###
About Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center, NFP:
Since 1985, Thousand Waves has fostered fitness, healing, empowerment, and peacemaking through traditional karate, fitness, and violence prevention programs. The center on Belmont offers classes 7-days a week for adults and children ages 4 and up. Workshops and courses related to Thousand Waves’ core programs are available to schools, non-profits, and corporate clients throughout Chicago. Thousand Waves welcomes everyone without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, athletic ability or previous experience. The center is committed to accessibility, and provides scholarships to individuals and organizations that need financial assistance in order to participate. For more information, please visit www.thousandwaves.org.
Contact
Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center, NFP
Jayne Spottswood
773-472-7663; Cell: 312-209-5046
www.thousandwaves.org
Twitter: @TWSeido
Jayne Spottswood
773-472-7663; Cell: 312-209-5046
www.thousandwaves.org
Twitter: @TWSeido
Contact
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