14th Annual Charity Shorinji Kempo "Kickathon"

Members of Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch took part in our customary Kaiso Day activity (annual charity “Kickathon”) on the evening of May 27, 2009.

We each performed 500 successive kicks with loud kiai (yell) in return for the generous sponsorship from many supporters.

Despite having only a small group participating in the event this year we were able to raise a total of $7,500 for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation in our event.

The “Kickathon” event has raised a total of $80,000 for this important cause since it began in 1996.

CAMH is a WHO-listed centre for research into the causes of addictions and their successful treatment. Our annual “Kickathon” is aimed at providing funds for:

1. research into the root causes of drug addiction, and
2. supporting drug cessation treatment programs offered by CAMH

In addition, we hope that the event will help, in a small way, help break down the social stigma associated with drug addiction and will help encourage individuals to seek treatment.

The philosophy of Shorinji Kempo emphasizes the importance of helping people to help themselves. We believe that this event helps us practice this ideal and offers a ray of hope to those seemingly trapped by a serious, life-threatening addictive illness.

We wish to thank our many generous sponsors for their continuing support, particularly at this challenging economic time.

Gassho

Cornell 31

Five members of Toronto Branch travelled to beautiful Trumansburg, NY on the Memorial Day wekend to attend the 31st Annual Cornell Shorinji Kempo Camp.


Sakuyama-sensei, Doin-cho of Ibaraki Takahagi Doin came over from Japan specially to share his many talents with us.


As before, we were amazed by his deep understanding of Shorinji Kempo technique and philosophy as well as his expert ability to teach them.


We wish to thank Sakuyama-sensei for taking the time and effort to come all the way across the world to selflessly share his love of Shorinji Kempo with us.

We also wish to thank the hosts - Ann Arbor Branch - and everyone else who once again made the Camp such a great success.

Gassho