Black Belt candidates raise over $7,300 for local charities

Every spring, Black Belt Training Cycle candidates from Personal Best Karate choose charities to fundraise for and give back to the local community. Five of the six karate schools who were graduating 67 Black Belts –located in Norton, Foxboro, Easton, Norwood and Medfield – were able to donate over $7,300 to four charity organizations, plus new and gently used toys for Cradles to Crayons.

Personal Best Karate Founder Christopher Rappold expressed immense pride with the students. “Our students worked together to help those in need and empower them. I am very proud of what they accomplished to give back so much to the community,” he said.

The group of students were in their 16-week Training Cycle for their degreed Black Belts, which they earned at the end of June. Students graduated to First, Second and Third Degree Black Belt after testing. Going through the class together united them as they chose their charity to fundraise for.

The charities the students chose were: the Massachusetts chapter of Stairs 4 R Troops, funds raised goes to Homes For Our Troops, a national organization helping veterans; New Life Furniture Bank of MA, an organization that provides those in need of household items and furniture; and St. Jude’s Research Hospital, children’s hospital pioneering research for pediatric cancer and other illnesses.

Students also participated in the Revivar Challenge, which supports three charities - Evans Crew raises money for a brain tumor called DIPG whose research is much underfunded. Mayan Families helps build homes and supply basic necessities, like water and clothes, to homeless and disadvantaged people in Guatemala. And Kids in The Canyon raises money for children in Fall River who have a tough life to open up their world by taking them on a trip to the Grand Canyon.

Personal Best Karate is located in Norton, Foxboro, Easton, Norwood, Medfield and Raynham. They currently have ongoing openings in their summer special program and can be contacted at www.personalbestkarate.com.