Martial Arts fund raiser being held for children in Newark hospital
By: Al Wicklund
MONROE Mountain Martial Arts on Spotswood-Englishtown Road will be raising money to give a boost to sick children in a Newark hospital, Sunday.
Mountain Martial Arts students will hold a "kick-a-thon to benefit the Pediatric AIDS Unit at Beth Israel Hospital in Newark.
"Sensi Mark Kapel, owner of the school, and kick-a-thon coordinator Vicki Rosario, both said they are looking forward to the event as a charitable effort and learning experience for their students.
Ms. Rosario said each participant will gather pledges for cash donations for each of their kicks, for the most part, front kicks directly at a person with a shield standing in front of the kicker or round kicks delivered to a shield held at the side of the targeted person.
The event will "kick" off at the karate school at 10 a.m. Sunday and finish up at 2 p.m.
"The students can do hundreds or even a thousand kicks each. They are maximizing their physical talents as well as opening their hearts and minds for the benefit of others," Ms. Rosario said.
"We are very excited to be challenging our students to raise money for children who are limited in what they can do," said Mr. Kapel, a fifth-degree black belt and head instructor at the school.
"We feel it’s important for our kids to know that karate is in the mind and spirit as well as the body. This is an opportunity for them to combine all three components of the martial arts," he said.
Ms. Rosario said anyone interested in being a sponsor or making a pledge, or wanting more information about the event, can call Mountain Martial Arts at (732) 656-9800.

