An old friend

Yesterday I recieved a call from an old friend, his name is Keith Loftus. I went to school with Keith in 7th and 8th grade. I haven’t seen him, since the end of the 8th grade year. My memories of Keith were always positive, he was always nice to me, and was a good person. Keith found out from one of our students that I was the owner of the Turnersville school. He couldn’t believe it, he had become a black belt himself and when he found out that I was the owner he decided to give me a call personally.

It was a great conversation, he told me that he was proud of me. He went on and on on how proud he was of my accomplishments. The call couldn’t have come at a better time. We all have challanges in our lives, and those who know me well know what I’ve been dealing with for the past several months.

Keith a father of two, was so happy that our school was offering free women’s self defense seiminars for members of the community. He also heard about the kidnapping prvention seminars we have done in the past, he went on and on about all the things we have done for the community.

Keith is coming in tonight, and for the first time will be leaving his children for the four hour fun night. He is very concerned about the future of his children, and is interested in seeing them get started with martial arts training at the school. We talked for two hours and look forward to seeing each other for the first time in 15 years.

Keith, thanks for the positive feedback. It’s people like you that inspire me to keep going and help me to stay positve even when things get tough. Point being-Surround yourself around positive people and positive things will happen.

Giving back to the community

One of the most important things our staff is expected to do is to give back to the community. Without the surrounding community, there would be no local small businesses. We are currently working with a Senior girl scout who is a great role model for children in the community. Her name is Katerine. I would like to thank Kateherine for giving us the opportunity to assist her in a great community project. Katherine took it  upon herself to help a boys halfway house to see what activivites they could participate in besides selling drugs, and continuing on a path that would have them incarcerated.

Here is the letter that she sent to our staff!

Dear Nick,

I would once again like to thank you for your martial arts workshop with the boys from the YES facility. Karate on my evaluation form was overwhelmigly voted the most popular activity of the week. So many of the teens gained knowledge of new ideas, bulit confidence through their acomplishements, recieved exposure to a world previously unknown to them, and enjoyed a compltely new and different activity.

Not only have you helped these teens learn and grow, but also you have helped me learn and grow as a person as well.  This whole experience of running camp  IMAGINE at the shelter has allowed me to gain insight into orgainization and logisitical skills. No other experience would have presented such a rewarding  challange to me.

Thanks again for all of your help! My girl scout Gold Award project would not have happened without your contibution and support!

Thanks,

Katherine