Martial arts student raises money for Miracle Network
Published: March 17, 2005
Martial arts student, 8-year-old Zoey M. Gleason, used her newly found concentration and sense of self to raise money for people she thought needed it more than she did.
The two-year student at Huard’s Ju-Jitsu & Karate Inc. raised $835. 85 for Children’s Miracle Network as part of a fund-raising campaign at her Winslow dojo — a studio where martial arts are taught.
Over the past couple of months, Zoey has tromped from stores, to schools, homes and the bus garage to get the word out that she was raising funds for children in need.
She sent out 80 letters to local businesses and individuals, put six collection cans in Skowhegan stores and at her school at Bloomfield Elementary school, in the teacher’s lounges and in the bus driver’s lounges. Besides that, she did her legwork. For two hours every Friday she visited local businesses and homes to make her pitch for her fundraising cause.
At a very young age, Zoey has a very good understanding of what she was working for.
“These kids are really sick and can’t do anything for it,” the young student said Monday, the day she was expected to turn her money in to Sensei Mark Huard, her instructor and mentor.
“They just have to hope for the best and we can help their families; we can just be a lot of help to them.”
Children’s Miracle Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and improving lives of seriously ill children by raising funds and awareness for 170 children’s hospitals throughout North America. The hospitals provide the finest medical care, life-saving research and preventative education to help millions of children overcome diseases and injuries of every kind.
Zoey, who now has her yellow belt with two blue stripes, is in line to step up to a blue belt; she takes her test in April. Students in karate begin with a white belt and earns up to seven different-colored belts over time, belts that designate skill levels.
Her mother, Jessica Gleason, said she has supported her child in her fund-raising efforts.
“I’ve tried to instill in her that one person can make a difference, that if she sets her mind to something, she can achieve it,” Zoey’s mother said.
Zoey’s mother said karate has made a big difference in her daughter’s life. Last year, she said, Zoey was having impulse issues, acting without thinking.
“First grade was a tough year,” the mother said. “The karate has taught her self control and respect. She went on to (earn recognition as) the most improved student in her (schoolroom) class.”
Zoey is very proud of her accomplishments and will participate in the Battle of Maine martial arts contest from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at Sukee Arena in Winslow. She also has added violin lessons to her list of interests.
“I’ve learned self-control,” said the energetic Zoey, who willingly demonstrated some of her martial arts moves before class Monday, finishing up with a very serious lesson on how to properly tie a belt.
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