107 Martial Artists Build a Home and Help Out in The Black Belt of The US
More than 100 martial arts teachers and students from across the North American continent, between March 25th and the 29th, converged upon the small southern town of Greensboro, Alabama to build a home, restore a historic schoolhouse, refurbish a thrift store, and help out with the local animal shelter. Chris Feldt, owner and chief instructor of Samurai Karate Studio located in Columbia, SC, participated in this wonderful project.
Columbia, SC, April 02, 2009 --(PR.com)-- In The Ultimate Black Belt Test (UBBT), a martial arts teacher-training program designed by veteran instructor Tom Callos of Hilo, Hawaii, participants are required to take their martial arts “out of the dojo (school) and into the world.”
More than 100 martial arts teachers and students from across the North American continent did just that between March 25th and the 29th as they converged upon the small southern town of Greensboro, Alabama to build a home, restore a historic schoolhouse, refurbish a thrift store, and help out with the local animal shelter.
Dave McNeill of Carson City, Nevada, worked on building a set of tables and benches to help the local Hale County Empowerment and Revitalization Organization (HERO). Jeff Brinker of Stony Plain in Alberta, Canada, worked on restoring a historic one-room Rosenwald schoolhouse. Chris Feldt of Columbia, South Carolina, helped construct a large freestanding studio for a blind elderly man whose current living arrangements put his health in jeopardy. Chan Lee, a second generation master teacher from Milwaukee, Wisconsin brought more than 20 people, many of whom cared for stray animals, cleaned out pens, and fixed enclosures at the Hale County Animal Control Center. Hal Gustin of Denver, Colorado, the senior member of the team, having taken his first martial arts lesson in 1956, helped keep all the job sites safe and supplied.
“The purpose of this yearly event,” says Gustin, “is to teach martial arts instructors how to take action in their communities. It’s the best way to teach students about leadership and character, and it’s one fine way to tell a community what your school is really all about.”
According to the event’s founder, Tom Callos, it’s about a number of other things as well. “Martin Luther King walked these streets,” says Callos. “James Agee and Walker Evans collaborated on their famous book here; "Let us Now Praise Famous Men." Architect Samuel Mockbee founded the Rural Studio near here, his legacy can still be seen all over town.” Callos was inspired to host the event by Mockbee, who died in 2001. Mockbee was known for taking his architectural students out of their classroom and put them to work helping others.
“The UBBT team raised more than $15,000 for materials,” says Callos, “but more importantly, they raised the standards for the entire martial arts world. In the future, because of this kind of community activism, what martial arts teachers inspire their students to do off of the mat may be as important as what they do on it.”
Chris Feldt, owner and chief instructor for Samurai Karate Studio located in Columbia, traveled with several of his students from his school. "The people of Greensboro were extremely gracious and opened their arms to us! It was a wonderful experience I am so proud of the students who traveled with me. This is an experience that will remain with us forever!"
For more information on the Alabama Project, visit www.ultimateblackbelttest.com.
Samurai Karate Studio teaches a traditional style of Japanese karate to children and adults beginning at age 3 and up.
If you would like more information about SKS, please visit www.samuraikaratestudio.net or call 803-462-9425.
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More than 100 martial arts teachers and students from across the North American continent did just that between March 25th and the 29th as they converged upon the small southern town of Greensboro, Alabama to build a home, restore a historic schoolhouse, refurbish a thrift store, and help out with the local animal shelter.
Dave McNeill of Carson City, Nevada, worked on building a set of tables and benches to help the local Hale County Empowerment and Revitalization Organization (HERO). Jeff Brinker of Stony Plain in Alberta, Canada, worked on restoring a historic one-room Rosenwald schoolhouse. Chris Feldt of Columbia, South Carolina, helped construct a large freestanding studio for a blind elderly man whose current living arrangements put his health in jeopardy. Chan Lee, a second generation master teacher from Milwaukee, Wisconsin brought more than 20 people, many of whom cared for stray animals, cleaned out pens, and fixed enclosures at the Hale County Animal Control Center. Hal Gustin of Denver, Colorado, the senior member of the team, having taken his first martial arts lesson in 1956, helped keep all the job sites safe and supplied.
“The purpose of this yearly event,” says Gustin, “is to teach martial arts instructors how to take action in their communities. It’s the best way to teach students about leadership and character, and it’s one fine way to tell a community what your school is really all about.”
According to the event’s founder, Tom Callos, it’s about a number of other things as well. “Martin Luther King walked these streets,” says Callos. “James Agee and Walker Evans collaborated on their famous book here; "Let us Now Praise Famous Men." Architect Samuel Mockbee founded the Rural Studio near here, his legacy can still be seen all over town.” Callos was inspired to host the event by Mockbee, who died in 2001. Mockbee was known for taking his architectural students out of their classroom and put them to work helping others.
“The UBBT team raised more than $15,000 for materials,” says Callos, “but more importantly, they raised the standards for the entire martial arts world. In the future, because of this kind of community activism, what martial arts teachers inspire their students to do off of the mat may be as important as what they do on it.”
Chris Feldt, owner and chief instructor for Samurai Karate Studio located in Columbia, traveled with several of his students from his school. "The people of Greensboro were extremely gracious and opened their arms to us! It was a wonderful experience I am so proud of the students who traveled with me. This is an experience that will remain with us forever!"
For more information on the Alabama Project, visit www.ultimateblackbelttest.com.
Samurai Karate Studio teaches a traditional style of Japanese karate to children and adults beginning at age 3 and up.
If you would like more information about SKS, please visit www.samuraikaratestudio.net or call 803-462-9425.
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Samurai Karate Studio
Sensei Chris Feldt
803-462-9425
www.samuraikaratestudio.net
Sensei Chris Feldt
803-462-9425
www.samuraikaratestudio.net
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