Martial Artists Fighting Hunger and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, in conjunction with Feeding America and 450 other food banks participated in the Second Annual Hunger Action Month during September. The goal of this promotion is to mobilize people everywhere to get involved with fighting hunger in America.
One in Eight Americans struggle with hunger. That’s why Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and Martial Artists Fighting Hunger teamed up to host the gauntlet, a series of athletic challenges for martial artists. The food bank provided volunteers and helped with publicity on their website, twitter, and other social media. Thanks to the efforts of Paul and Ginger Allen, Channel 6 in the Orlando market, covered the event on the local evening news.
Martial Artists Fighting Hunger hosted the event on Saturday, September 5, 2009 at Lyman High School as part of the national push for food donations. . Over 641 pounds of food was donated as well as $260 dollars. Second Harvest is able to provide $9 in meals for every dollar collected.
The challenge event was called The Gauntlet© and was created for this event. Basically, competitors completed a series of ten challenge stations with others in their weight class and belt level. Points were awarded. C.J. Vickers, the martial artist with the most points, won. C.J. is a well-rounded martial artist and a national champion in sparring and forms in taekwondo. Eosin Pather, maker of custom martial arts belts, donated the championship belt.
Volunteers from martial arts schools all over Florida pitched in and helped staff the stations. Wendi Turnbull of 2 Dog Photography took pictures, GA & Associates did publicity. The Taekwondo Club at the University of Central Florida sent volunteers as did many other schools and clubs. Master David Turnbull of DC Turnbull Taekwondo Taekwondo served as tournament director.ComBATON the Martial Arts Team Sport, was the major sponsor and rented the Lyman High School Gym for the event. Additional information about sponsors is available on the event blog.
Everyone got a tee shirt and the feeling of satisfaction of helping others by participating. Participants enjoyed the camaraderie of spending time with other martial artists and the possibility of winning the Eosin Panther Black Belt. Everyone agrees that the event was a big success and is looking toward a repeat of the event next year.
Allen’s Martial Arts is sponsoring the comBATON station of the Gauntlet on September 5th at Lyman High School. Masters Ginger and Paul Allen are looking forward to seeing all of their martial arts friends there. Remember to register in advance to help us with staging. The only cost to register is a donation of food for Second Harvest Food Bank or a $5.00 donation which will also go to them.
