Villari's Self-Defense Center in Mashpee

The students and instructors from Villari's in Mashpee are preparing for KICKS FOR CANCER 2007.  This time it promises to be bigger then ever with the extra help from one of our parents.  She doesn't want too much credit, but if you see a jar with a 'Peddlin for Pocket Change' on it, that's because of her!  The Kick-a-thon event will take place in late June at the studio, and the black-belt bunny will ride again on August 5th and 6th!

A brief history:

In the spring of 2004 Richard Mingolelli, my father, was diagnosed with a fast-moving form of brain cancer after what was initially thought to be just a sinus infection.  Against all of the doctor's expectations, he raised funds and completed the 2004 Pan-Mass Challenge with members of his family.  For a time, it looked like he would be one of the ones that would beat the odds and survive what was identified as a particularly aggressive and persistent form of cancer.  By the fall of that year the cancer had returned.  In the spring of 2005, he passed when the cancer continued to return despite multiple surgeries and chemotherapy.

I rode in the 2005 PMC in his memory, following the route he chose.  While we didn't make a big deal out of it here at the studio, the students and parents that heard about it were supportive.  Without soliciting donations, they willingly added to the money that was being raised in his memory.  The Marlboro Villari's, where I studied as an under-belt and continue to take classes at also contributed, raising money through a kick-a-thon.

The next year the kick-a-thon came to Mashpee.  More awareness, with student fundraisers around town made this a much bigger event.  The 2006 "Kicks-for-Cancer" had guests from other studios, and an unexpected surprise when the people from a cross-country cancer awareness ride were in town and one of our parents told them about our event.  That year we had 37 people kicking in the fundraiser and hundreds of people donating to the kick-a-thon or to the Jimmy Fund directly to raise nearly $2400.

This year we plan on making this even bigger!  With a goal of $3200, visitors and kickers from several other Villari's studios and more prizes from local businesses, this is turning into a bigger event each year.  Your help will continue to grow this event and bring more money to this important cause.

Deer Crossing Building C-14 681 Falmouth Rd Mashpee, MA 508-539-9462