Students kick their way to big fundraising
December 3, 2008
By Laura Geggel
The students of DMW Martial Arts in Snoqualmie have raised about $4,500 for charity and got an immense amount of exercise in the process.
For the last four years, students have raised money every time they performed a kick during Kick-a-thon week. This year, students kicked approximately 274,000 times the week of Nov. 17. The money they raised funded Thanksgiving dinners and families with holiday needs in Snoqualmie Valley.
The students at DMW Martial Arts in Snoqualmie celebrate after finishing their annual Kick-a-thon for charity.
“It’s been a tradition for the last few years,” said Marcia Paul, co-owner of DMW with Dan Cartan.
Students found sponsors who either paid a flat rate or on a per-kick basis.
Every time the students raised another $35 increment, they were able to fund another food basket for a family in need.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Terry Losansky. “My daughter likes the challenge of trying to raise money per kick.”
Dwight Smith does martial arts with his 13-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son, but he described himself “more as a financer than a participant” during the Kick-a-thon.
“I always appreciate it when businesses find ways to benefit the community beyond the services they offer,” Smith said.
Dawn Turner’s son Andrew raised enough money for nine food baskets. The family moved from North Carolina to Snoqualmie in 2005. Turner enrolled her son in martial arts in hopes it would improve his self-discipline and self-esteem.
The effects were dramatic, Turner said. Now, her son has increased concentration in the martial arts studio and in school. When DMW instructors teach the students about a theme every month, Turner reviews it with her son.
November’s theme, generosity and giving, inspired many a student to kick more than they had ever kicked before.
“We were so glad that the money was going to a good cause,” Turner said.
Andrew wrote to his family’s old community church in North Carolina and told them about the Kick-a-thon. About 400 kicks later, the church members sent Andrew funds to buy food baskets.
Andrew’s kicks are all the more impressive considering his family went out of town the week of Nov. 17. Andrew, forced to do the kicks on his own time, said he liked the challenge of martial arts. He added he liked the idea of helping others.
“We should be thankful for what we have and we should be generous and think of others,” Andrew said.
Of course, kicking does take a toll on the body.
“They all kicked hard,” Paul said. “They were all moaning and groaning, but it was for a good cause.”
Reach reporter Laura Geggel at 392-6434 .221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.
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