Martial arts event will aid the Philippines

Satori Academy of Martial Arts, with locations in Edison/Metuchen and East Brunswick/Milltown, will sponsor a Stickand Kick-a-Thon from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Edison school in the Tano Mall, 1199 Amboy Ave. The event will raise funds for agencies providing aid to the Philippines in the aftermath of the Typhoon Haiyan.

For the event, students — age 3 to adult — will attempt to do the most stick strikes (eskrima) and kicks in their age bracket. Eskrima is a martial art originating in the Phillipines.

The public is invited to sponsor participants or join them in trying out some sticks and kicks themselves to raise money for this cause. All pledges and donations will go to the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF to provide clean drinking water, food, temporary shelter and urgent medical care to the typhoon survivors.

Also offered will be a demonstration of the Filipino martial arts by Doce Pares Eskrima students and black belts led by Grand Master Dong Cuesta. Door prizes will be given to all who attend.

Donations of gently used summer clothing and shoes are requested and will be sent to several organizations distributing directly to those in need.

“The devastation by Typhoon Haiyan is too important to ignore and hits close to home, since we have so many families here at the schools from the Philippines and we teach Filipino martial arts as part of our curriculum. We, as martial artists, wanted to give our students the opportunity to use their martial arts skills for a good cause,” Satori Academy owner Nancy Walzog said.

For more information, contact Satori Academy at 732-494-2195 or visit www.satoriacademynj.com.