GLOCESTER/BURRILLVILLE – Students at a Chepachet-based martial arts studio will be using some of their skills next weekend to kick back a different type threat than the ones they may have heard about in self defense training: substance use, abuse and addiction.
Village Martial Arts will host a kickathon to support the Burrillville Prevention Action Coalition on Sunday, Oct. 6, with some 20 students and instructors challenging themselves to complete as many front kicks, side kicks and roundhouses as they can. Funds raised will go toward BPAC’s ongoing events and activities, including scholarships for qualifying Burrillville High School seniors.
First opened on Chapel Street in Burrillville in 2020, Village Martial Arts relocated to a space in the Pinewood Plaza at 840 Putnam Pike last year. Owner and instructor Audrey Hussey, a Connecticut native, is a fourth-degree black belt with training in Kempo, Goju Ryo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Hapkido, and Aikido.
“When I became a part of the business community in the area I realized that because I don’t live around here I wanted to establish a connection with the people I do business with, namely my students and their families, but in a larger sense, the community,” said Hussey.
Hussey held the school’s first kickathon last year, and eight participating students raised $1,400 for the Burrillville Animal Shelter.
“That number amazed me,” she said. “These kids really work hard at it.”
The suggestion to help out BPAC in 2024, she noted, came from one of her student’s parents.
“They do a lot of good community work helping kids stay clean and sober,” said Hussey. “This is more important now than ever.”
On October 6, Hussey’s students age four and up will get in as many kicks as they can within a 15 minute time limit. Supporters can pledge to donate on a per kick basis – usually at 10 to 25 cents per kick – or can donate if the student reaches a certain benchmark, such as 100 kicks.
“The more pledges they get and the more kicks they do, the more money they raise,” Hussey said.
Last year, kick totals ranged from 300 to 1,330.
“This year we’re going to put a 15 minute time limit because some of them took an awfully long time and didn’t want to give up,” said Hussey.
BPAC Coordinator Monica Blanchette noted that her organization is grateful for the support.
“They serve a vital mission in our area to prevent substance use amongst youth, and are always looking for support for their education and community engagement activities,” noted Hussey in a flyer about the event.
The kickathon is open to the public and Hussey said she’s hopeful visitors will attend to cheer on and encourage the students. Visitors are also welcome to participate.
“For people who have never done martial arts, I will be doing a short tutorial class to help them with their form, and give them tips and pointers on how to get the most kicks they can in the shortest amount of time,” said Hussey.
“We don’t expect everyone to have perfect kicks,” she added. “It’ll be a lot of fun, and they can come in and see what it is we do.”
The event begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6 and Hussey notes that Chepachet Deli will be open next door, feeding hungry kickers.
Anyone who wants to participate, or sponsor either a student or instructor, is asked to text Hussey at (401) 575-8477 or email [email protected].
Editor’s note: The above article initially stated that the students kicks in 2023 ranged up to 330 and that Hussey was a third degree black belt but has been corrected. We apologize for the errors.
