Our mat fund is now up to $107. Thank you for your continued support. The Chandler dojo is in dire need of new mats since the velcro on some of them has become so worn that they no longer hold together. We now use extra velco pieces to connect the mats as they are laid down and this is working surprisingly well. This temporary solution has bought us some time so that we can raise the necessary funds to purchase new mats.
We will continue to sell water bottles at the Chandler dojo for $1 each. Thank you to everyone who helps our cause by buying water. If you would like to donate water for this effort please let Teresa Sensei know.
To help our Mat Fund grow as well as have a lot of fun, we will be having a ROLL-A-THON the last week of May. Ukemi (tumbling) is a big part of Aikido training and a fun part of class. Since we practice tumbling skills every class anyway let’s see how many rolls we collectively do by having a ROLL-A-THON.
For those who are interested this will also provide a fun and exciting opportunity for us to raise money for the Mat Fund. Sign up sheets will be available for students who would like to get pledges for the rolls they complete.
The Roll-a-thons will be conducted during all the kids’ classes the last week of May. This event will be similar to what some of us remember as the Walk-a-thon where participants collected pledges for the number of miles they walked. The Roll-a-thon participant, if they so choose, may collect pledges for each roll they can do during one class period. For example, if a pledge of $.10 a roll was made and 100 rolls were completed that pledge would amount to $10.00. Rolls can be of any kind (forward, backward, kneeling, standing, diving, crossover, breakfall), you may take as many breaks as you need and the rolls do not have to be “perfect”; trying your best is all that matters. In preparation for this event we will be conducting some “mini” roll-a-thons to help students determine a realistic goal they can set for themselves as well as give the people who are pledging them an idea of how many rolls they can expect. If a person does not wish to make a pledge but still wants to help out they may make a donation instead.
Collecting pledges and/or donations for this event will be voluntary. Anyone who is interested in doing so will receive a form for recording pledges and donations.
Sensei will need some help on the days of rolling. Anyone interested (parents, older students, adult students, older siblings or friends, etc.) is asked to let Sensei know. Students will work in pairs to help each other count and provide breaks for each other, but Sensei can use some help in managing the pairs as well as giving encouragement and support to the rollers. The Roll-a-thons will take place on the following days and times:
Chandler – Wed., May 25 5:00-5:45 and 6:00-7:00
South Chandler – Thurs., May 26 3:45-4:30, 4:45-5:30 and 5:35-6:20
Mesa – Fri., May 27 5:00-5:45 and 6:00-7:00
Thank you in advance for showing your support and encouragement towards the younger Aikidoka of our dojo. This will be a fun and exciting way for them to practice setting and attaining a goal as well as feel they have contributed in a major way to supporting the dojo.
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