I guess I can sum it up in our Mission Statement that hangs on the wall as you enter the School. Part 2 reads “Empower Our Students with Valuable Skills for Life” and Part 3 reads “Contribute to a Safe and Peaceful Community”. My Teacher, Grandmaster Chong, taught me early and often that Tae Kwon Do develops students through the help and service toward others. That belief is a central reason why we do so many of our skills and drills with partners.

By working together we develop skills like fitness, focus, confidence, and do it in a fun way not oblivious to others but in service to them. By developing our students, the goal is that they take the lessons learned on the Mat and take them out in to the world at home, school, and in the workplace. This helps promote the “Ripple Effect” that when a student develops themselves in a positive manner, they can have an amazing impact on others and contribute to a safe and peaceful community.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day can be a great way to remind all of us about the amazing potential when people do things in service of others. I think it’s a great way to honor his legacy and all those who have sought to help others by engaging in community action that looks to, however small, help heal and solve social problems. Service breaks down barriers and limitations by bringing people from different experiences together. Volunteering can unite people of all different ages and backgrounds while building a stronger local and national community! I think that next Monday can be a “day on” in service to others, and not just a “day off”.

So What Can We Do As Tae Kwon So Instructors and Students here in the West Chester, PA Area?

Here are some ideas that the Staff at Master P’s have come up with to help those in our local community but also our hope is that if we get more of our students and families involved on this day, we can send that ripple effect outward and potentially help even more people:

Service Project Recommendations:

• Donate food items for the Chester County Food Bank. I know we did a food drive in December but I also know how much help they need in these times. Please be generous and stop by to drop something off! Find out more info about them by clicking this link: https://chestercountyfoodbank.org/
• Consider a “Hygiene Bag” for people in need. Items may include tooth brushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap and should be put in a ziploc bag.
• Writing cards for health care workers at our local hospital to show support and appreciation for all they do to help keep us healthy!
• Consider writing Wellness Cards to senior citizens at nursing care facilities. Offering kind words of support and gratitude can go a long way!

Here are some other Service Project Ideas our Tae Kwon Do Students and Families can do:

• Volunteering at an animal shelter!
• Volunteer to clean up a part of a local park or trail!
• Offer to help an elderly person in your neighborhood!
• Clear out your closet and donate clothes to a local shelter or bring them to a drop off site!

The Benefits of Service and Community

I have always been so proud to know the amazing kids, adults, and families who make up our Tae Kwon Do community. We may come from different backgrounds and think differently on things, sure! But we are united to help each other grow healthier, happier, more confident and focused through our martial arts training. I believe this unity, even though we may be a diverse group, has helped us make a strong Tae Kwon Do community. We have helped develop each other and many others through our ripple effect. Please consider joining us next week Monday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a way to connect with each other even more by doing some service for others in our community.

Please consider getting involved in the above service projects or feel free to do one of your own. And please let me and my Staff know what you did or better yet, post it on our or your social media and let people out there in the world know what a great group of martial arts families we have here at World Class Tae Kwon Do!

Sincerely,

Master P & Your World Class Instructors

PS check out the photos below for some of the cleanup that Mrs. P and I did in the local area last year!