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I hope this letter finds you in excellent health and spirits.
This is a first for me. I’ve never written a fund raising letter to instructors or students before, and I’ve never needed to ask personal friends or associates for support sending top US karate athletes into international competition. But this year we find ourselves facing circumstances that are both challenging and opportune.
The AJKA took a bold step in 2005. We joined the World Union of Karate Organizations (WUKO) directly - as a separate, autonomous, and independent national karate organization. Our goal is simple: give elite American shotokan karate athletes and coaches a national organization that is free of political infighting and favoritism, and dedicated to providing them with the opportunity and means to represent the USA at the highest level possible.
Based on the caliber of our instructors, our competitors and coaches, and our growing network of top quality affiliates, I am confident that we can compete successfully in any forum - anywhere in the world.
“Going it alone” internationally is the right thing for us to do at this point – and it’s a new and exciting position for us to be in. But it is also one that is filled with logistic and financial challenges. If we are going to be successful at this early stage - we’re going to need your help.
In the coming first year we are looking forward to three major international competitions:
The 2006 WUKO Pan-American Championships, August 3-6, in BRAZIL. Tony Desardi: Head Coach. Robert Myles, MD: Team Doctor and Trainer. We have already selected three of four senior male team members, and two of four senior female members. We are currently holding selections and accepting nominations for one additional male spot, and 2 female spots.
The 2006 Shotokan Karate-Do Szövetségnek EURO CUP, November 18-19, in HUNGARY. A major international competition. (In 2004, an AJKA-USA four man, one woman, squad swept this event. We intend to return this year and do it again.)
The 2007 - 12th WUKO World Championships, June 20 - 24, 2007, in SPAIN. Our plan is to field full senior and youth teams for this event - 25 to 30 competitors, plus coaches, and trainers.
In planning for these events and providing the transportation, housing, and support resources that our athletes need to compete on a level playing field, I anticipate we will need between $45,000 and $50,000. We have some of it – but, by far, not most of it.
Again, for us to be successful in this critical first year - we need your support. I promise that very dollar we collect will be put to good use.
What else can you do in addition to making a personal donation? Karate Instructors And Students – please pass the word (and the hat) in your dojos. Everyone – do you know someone other then yourself that would be willing to help us? Are you an employee or member of an organization that may be willing to make a donation to support international caliber American athletes? Please ask! Business people - we are actively seeking corporate sponsorships!
Also, please forward this letter to anyone who might be able to help.
YES! The AJKA is a non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible!
Checks should be made to “American JKA Karate Association” and mailed to (please indicate “team support” at bottom of check):
AJKA
Attn: Debbie Miner - USA Team Support
P.O. Box 668
Yucaipa, CA 92399-0037
YES! We can take credit card donations.
CREDIT CARD DONATIONS - can be made by completing the attached form and mailing it to the address above, or emailing it (as a word.doc or PDF) to:
Thank you for taking the time to consider this appeal and our campaign. Please feel free to contact me with any questions comments.
Yours in Shotokan -
Edmond Otis
AJKA-I Chairman and North America Chief instructor
