Swift Current Christian Tae Kwon Do recognized for fundraising effort
Swift Current Christian Tae Kwon Do was recognized this week as the top fundraising club in North America for a third straight year for their Breaking Boards, Breaking Chains fundraising initiative.
The local club raised a club record total of approximately $15,000 to help International Justice Mission fight sex trafficking.
“For me it’s just really impressive. I think it’s great that it’s affecting so many young people as well,” said IJM Director of Development and Mobilization, David Pollendine, who traveled to Swift Current to present the award. “People don’t realize, we live in a bit of a bubble in the west generally, not just in Canada, that there are, according to the UN, four billion people living outside the protection of the law. We take for granted that if we’ve got a problem we dial 911, but for four billion people that’s not the reality, they’re not protected. I think for young people to have that awareness through raising money for projects that we do in India, for example, is absolutely fantastic. It’s a whole generation growing up with that knowledge that there are 43 million people in slavery around the world and they’re doing something about it. It’s really educational and it’s strategic for the future. I think it’s great for the next generation here.”
“Yeah it was recognition I think my students really deserve. They work hard for it and I am proud of each and every one that stepped up to make a difference,” said Gary Voysey, Swift Current Christian Tae Kwon Do Chief Instructor.
The funds raised in Swift Current will be used for IJM’S effort in Calcutta, India.
“It’s going to go towards sex tr“i think honestly it’s just the belief that we’re making a difference. The money doesn’t go to a club to buy shirts or anything, it is actually is going to help human beings in different parts of the world in dire situations and I think people really buy into that,” said Voysey of the club’s continued success, heading into a sixth-year of fundraising.
Voysey is now encouraging other clubs to get involved in the fundraising effort.
“We’re talking with other clubs in the province like Artisan Taekwondo out of Regina and other clubs like that to get them on board. Being a martial artist just isn’t about learning a martial art. It’s about trying to make a difference, whether it’s in your community or abroad. I’m getting interest from other schools because they see that it is a good event, and the kids have fun with it, but at the same time you are making a social difference.”
Voysey is also excited about his local club, which continues to grow.
“The club is expanding, we’re over 120 members now. We have a big new location and we’re just growing and forecasted to keep on growing. We don’t see any signs of slowing down in 2019.”