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Sifu Joe Maury, the owner and head instructor of Maury’s Looang Foo Pai Academy,was invaluable to this
event, kindly allowing Xiang HuaFranklin the use of his Mendon, MA school in which to host the event. A
number of Looang Foo Pai students also made generous donations to the cause.
So, on the cold, rainy Sunday morning of January 14, six martial artists met at the school in Mendon. Over
the next two and a half hours, they each produced more than 1000 kicks / strikes apiece, raising over $2000
in the process for the Nardini’s.
event, kindly allowing Xiang HuaFranklin the use of his Mendon, MA school in which to host the event. A
number of Looang Foo Pai students also made generous donations to the cause.
So, on the cold, rainy Sunday morning of January 14, six martial artists met at the school in Mendon. Over
the next two and a half hours, they each produced more than 1000 kicks / strikes apiece, raising over $2000
in the process for the Nardini’s.
| If you would like to join us, contact us at: info@xianghua.com |
| Copyright 2000-2007 Xiang Hua Chinese Martial Arts Xiang Hua Franklin instructor Tony Cotillo |
On January 14, 2007, the Xiang Hua Franklin school and Maury’s
Kung Fu Academy held a charitable Kick-A-Thon to raise money
for the family of Laura Nardini. Laura is a fourteen year old resident of
Milford, MA. In late November, 2006, her heart was aggressively attacked
by an unknown virus. She is hospitalized at Children’s Hospital in Boston,
awaiting a heart transplant.
There are many costs associated with having a child in long term care.
Every meal is eaten out, parking must be paid for daily, and gas and tolls
must be paid. This is in addition to all of the family’s normal expenses.
Since one or both parents usually take a leave of absence, often unpaid,
these costs can quickly overwhelm a family financially. This causes
additional stress on the family at a time when their attention should be
focused entirely on their child and themselves.
Rich Palanzi, a cousin to Laura and a student of Xiang Hua, rose to the
challenge of assisting the Nardinis with some of their financial burden.
Together with Tony Cotillo, he organized a kick-a-thon to raise money for
the Nardini’s, accepting both flat donations and per kick/strike pledges.
Kung Fu Academy held a charitable Kick-A-Thon to raise money
for the family of Laura Nardini. Laura is a fourteen year old resident of
Milford, MA. In late November, 2006, her heart was aggressively attacked
by an unknown virus. She is hospitalized at Children’s Hospital in Boston,
awaiting a heart transplant.
There are many costs associated with having a child in long term care.
Every meal is eaten out, parking must be paid for daily, and gas and tolls
must be paid. This is in addition to all of the family’s normal expenses.
Since one or both parents usually take a leave of absence, often unpaid,
these costs can quickly overwhelm a family financially. This causes
additional stress on the family at a time when their attention should be
focused entirely on their child and themselves.
Rich Palanzi, a cousin to Laura and a student of Xiang Hua, rose to the
challenge of assisting the Nardinis with some of their financial burden.
Together with Tony Cotillo, he organized a kick-a-thon to raise money for
the Nardini’s, accepting both flat donations and per kick/strike pledges.
January 14, 2007
Xiang Hua
Chinese Martial Arts
Xiang Hua
Chinese Martial Arts
| Xiang Hua Chinese Martial Arts |
The following people participated in the Laura Nardini Charitable Kick-A-Thon: Tony Cotillo – Xiang Hua Rob McLaughlin – Xiang Hua Diana McLaughlin – Xiang Hua Rich Palanzi – Xiang Hua Tom Hamano – Looang Foo Pai Jen Varney – Emerald Necklace Budo The following businesses donated either financially or materially to the Laura Nardini Charitable Kick-A-Thon: Maury’s Looang Foo Pai Academy Market Basket Domino’s Pizza |
Update: February 5, 2007
Displaying a fighting spirit in her battle against this rare heart virus,
14-year-old Laura Nardini seemed to be making baby steps toward recovery.
Sadly, with her family by her side, the young dancer and junior varsity
cheerleader died peacefully on the morning of Saturday, February 3, 2007 at
Children's Hospital in Boston. Doctors are still researching the mysterious
disease that attacked the teen's heart and affected her lungs and kidneys.
A friend who as acted as a medical liaison for Nardini's supporters, said "I
have never seen such a valiant fight in my life," she said. Nardini's parents
stayed with their daughter in the hospital throughout the ordeal, which began
when the teen became suddenly ill two days before Thanksgiving. Laura's
parents did not leave Laura's side for one single night. One was there and
the other would come home with their other daughter and try to maintain a
routine with her.
14-year-old Laura Nardini seemed to be making baby steps toward recovery.
Sadly, with her family by her side, the young dancer and junior varsity
cheerleader died peacefully on the morning of Saturday, February 3, 2007 at
Children's Hospital in Boston. Doctors are still researching the mysterious
disease that attacked the teen's heart and affected her lungs and kidneys.
A friend who as acted as a medical liaison for Nardini's supporters, said "I
have never seen such a valiant fight in my life," she said. Nardini's parents
stayed with their daughter in the hospital throughout the ordeal, which began
when the teen became suddenly ill two days before Thanksgiving. Laura's
parents did not leave Laura's side for one single night. One was there and
the other would come home with their other daughter and try to maintain a
routine with her.
Laura and her parents were not martial artists but the way they conducted their loyal, fierce and unbending
fight for her life exemplifies the moral foundation we aspire to instill in martial artists. The purpose of true
martial arts is not to simply create fearsome warriors. To instill martial skills in someone without also
cultivating a moral foundation in that individual simply creates brutes and bullies. Through meditation and
the act of punching and kicking, we learn to become completely present in the moment. Learning to
become completely present in the moment leads to daily mindful living. Respect, honesty and compassion
follow.
Recognizing the needs of a family like the Nardinis in the community and taking the steps necessary to help
fulfill some of those needs is just one manifestation of this compassion. The Instructors and Students of
Xiang Hua Chinese Martial Arts have pledged to conduct other community service and fund raising events in
the future. If you would like to join us, contact us at: info@xianghua.com
fight for her life exemplifies the moral foundation we aspire to instill in martial artists. The purpose of true
martial arts is not to simply create fearsome warriors. To instill martial skills in someone without also
cultivating a moral foundation in that individual simply creates brutes and bullies. Through meditation and
the act of punching and kicking, we learn to become completely present in the moment. Learning to
become completely present in the moment leads to daily mindful living. Respect, honesty and compassion
follow.
Recognizing the needs of a family like the Nardinis in the community and taking the steps necessary to help
fulfill some of those needs is just one manifestation of this compassion. The Instructors and Students of
Xiang Hua Chinese Martial Arts have pledged to conduct other community service and fund raising events in
the future. If you would like to join us, contact us at: info@xianghua.com