Living Defense Martial Arts in High Point, along with police, will hold the third “Board Break-A-Thon” Saturday at Oak Hollow Mall. Students of the studio, who have been individually raising money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, will showcase their skills breaking pine boards at Saturday’s event.
“It’s worked out really well. The first year I think we raised about $4,000, and I think around the same last year,” said police Capt. Tony Hamrick. “There’s a little preparation involved, but then you go out there for two or three hours and you’re done, and then you have a lot of firewood.”
Students from as young as 5 years old into their 50s typically participate. Most of them use a Web site, firstgiving.com, to solicit donations for Special Olympics, which also will be accepted at the event. Organizers hope to raise $6,000.
“I don’t know how far-reaching we are this year with the economy the way it is, but what we’ve tried to stress to (the students) is if you ask a lot of people to give a little, that will make a lot,” said Steve Snyder, owner of Living Defense Martial Arts. “The first giving site is a great thing. It’s a lot easier than going around door-to-door, and people know the money goes straight to Special Olympics.”
Hamrick said the police department raised more than $10,000 for Special Olympics this year, and Saturday’s event will be a part of fundraising for 2010, which is ongoing.
“We’ve done pretty well. We’ve pretty much been in line with the last several years,” Hamrick said. “Special Olympics is pretty popular.”
pkimbrough@hpe.com | 888-3531
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