Help those less fortunate and . . . help your martial arts school at the same time

Kris Wilder is an author with 35 years of martial arts experience. He is concerned about those who need a helping hand during these hard economic times. His idea to help those less fortunate and to promote martial arts schools is innovative and worthwhile.

“I have said many times that martial artists are different. We experience life differently and respond to life’s challenges differently, too,” said Wilder. “ It has been my experience that the very attributes that make us successful at the martial arts also make us good people to turn to in time of need. We take our fortitude and determination to where they’re needed. That’s why I’m contacting you today. Over our combined lifetimes, we’ve encountered situations where someone is in need. You know who I mean, an individual or family struggling with health or financial issues who could use our help. This is especially true today, a time of economic crisis for many.”

Here’s what we can do

Wilder will come to your school and do a day-long seminar based on his book The Way of Kata: A Comprehensive Guide to Deciphering Martial Applications. “You can raise money for your local person, group, or family that is in need,” he said. “All I require are to have my transportation expenses covered and a place to stay; the rest is on me. Your school takes all the funds raised and makes a contribution to a worthy cause in your school’s name.”

YMAA Publication Center said they will help with this project by bringing the power of their promotion department to help publicize the events and to provide some door prizes for those attending the seminar. Summing it up Wilder said he will use the time-tested methods of his seminar package—coupled with your local knowledge, your local network of contacts and the media—and at the end of the day we’re able to do something meaningful to make somebody else’s life better.

If you have a cause, a family, or an individual in mind, contact me at thedojo@quidnunc.net. Tell me their story—who they are and why we should step in and help. Please respond no later than March 31, 2009. I look forward to hearing from you.

And remember: think big!

Kris Wilder began his martial arts training in 1976 in the art of Tae Kwon Do, he has earned black belt-level ranks in three arts: Tae Kwon Do (2nd Degree), Kodokan Judo (1st Degree) and Goju-Ryu Karate (4th Degree), which he teaches at the West Seattle Karate Academy. He is a regular columnist for Traditional Karate Magazine and author of The Way of Kata: A Comprehensive Guide to Deciphering Martial Applications, The Way of Sanchin Kata: The Application of Power and The Way to Black Belt.