On May 21, 2011 Seichou Karate® Dojo of
Alexandria, VA held a "fun-raiser" to benefit victims of the earthquake
and tsunami that struck northeast Japan.
The event, which featured demonstrations by outstanding DC drum troop NenDaiko, Seichou Karate® Dojo, obon folk dancing, kabuki face-painting and famed DC Magician The Great Zucchini, drew over 200 children and raised $10,000.
SeichouKarate® founder and event organizer Richard Romero said that, after the
March disaster, he and others with strong ties to Japan were frustrated
because it was difficult to assist victims. So, overseas friends of
Japan had to be creative. In the case of Seichou Karate®, it?s strong
ties to northern Virginia families presented an opportunity because the
suffering of Japanese families would certainly resonate across cultures
with U.S. families.
However,
holding a fun event in the context of the profound tragedy of the
disaster was a delicate matter. So, although the event consisted of
light-hearted entertainment, Romero used the beauty of Japanese
traditional culture as a means of personalizing the devastating tragedy
for event attendees. Romero said, "it really worked because our guests
learned that Japan, which is the birthplace of wadaiko, karatedo and
kabuki, had suffered an enormous loss and needed support."
In
fact, Romero continued ?northern Virginia?s response to the Fun-Raiser
was terrific because all performers donated their time and a number of
local businesses chipped in different goods and services for the
auction. In particular, Burgundy Farm Country Day School hosted the event at its beautiful gymnasium. Even our insurance underwriter provided coverage for the event free of charge!
Happily, Seichou Karate?s not-for-profit partner, PG Foundation Inc., donated $10,000 to the Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA) to fund its mobile library project that serves communities affected by the disaster.
SeichouKarate® Dojo is seeking further public support for its scholarship
program that makes world class martial arts study available to
economically disadvantaged children in metro DC. For information on how
to sponsor a child for life-changing Japanese martial arts training,
email info@mypfg.org.
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