Help Us Save Rising Sun Martial Arts!
Donation protected
KEEP RISING SUN MARTIAL ARTS ALIVE IN CENTER SQUARE
Since 1994 Rising Sun Martial Arts has served the local community by promoting fitness and healthy living and providing a fun, safe place for kids to participate in an art that dates back to ancient times. RSMA is a place where kids and families can meet, work out, make new friends and connections and grow mentally and physically. Located in center square Rising Sun, Maryland, our school teaches kids to stand up for themselves, speak up for themselves, think for themselves and strengthens the bonds of community and family.
There have been many ups and downs over the years, and we have always found ways to keep going and keep the kids engaged. Many have found a second family at RSMA. We have patrons now who were students when they were kids - bringing in their kids! - an honor unthought of when we opened. While many view the martial arts as matters of kicking and punching, our students have found that a martial arts education offers so much more. While we train self-confidence, overcoming fears, and solid self-defense skills, we also help with school and family issues, personal setbacks, and future success.
As with many business, the pandemic brought unique setbacks to RSMA. While we were fully shut down for four months, the staff scrambled to stay connected with students through internet based classes. Unfortunately, by the time we were OK’d to reopen, we had lost over 70 students, a 40% loss of participation. The shut downs also had the effect of closing our summer camp program for the year, and when schools were not reopening in the fall for in-person learning, our transported after school karate program also had to be closed. RSMA relied on shared advertising with local businesses, which generated about 70% of new student participation. With businesses having to clear their spaces of any unnecessary items that would require constant cleaning, this advertising approach had to be stopped.
During this time RSMA received some help through the PPP Program and the SBA but this funding was limited and used to keep our full staff employed and continue to meet our other expenses for the operation of the business. We opened our Academy program to assist parents with the challenges of balancing work with their kids in school on-line. Every day was walking the razors edge but we were starting to get some traction as restrictions eased and more people became comfortable with participating in a program involving social contact.
With Rising Sun Martial Arts gaining momentum in the battle to remain open, we now face a new obstacle; our building owner has put the property up for sale. While we are fighting back against this financial crisis, we do not have the ability to respond to this issue alone. We must now turn to the generosity of our community and communities across the internet. If we lose control of the building we may have to close. If it is something you can afford please consider donating to us. Please also consider sharing this campaign info with others. We would not have made it this far without you and are humbled by your support. If we take control of the building we will upgrade it and be in a strong position to serve for at least another 27 years. Certainly we are aware of the difficult and uncertain times and situations all of us and our businesses are facing and that there are many worthy causes that need community assistance. All financial support will be only used to put RSMA in place to purchase the building and to continue to provide to our community and to do our part to keep center square beautiful and bustling. All who know us know our passion to help kids and adults have fun, get in shape and learn to pursue meaningful, joyful lives. It is our goal to continue to support the needs of families in our community and to promote positive values for future generations.
Martial arts study is as old as the human experience. It is fun, exciting, rich with history and exposes students to different cultures, world views and value systems. Martial arts students learn of both the strength and frailty of the human condition, elevating their awareness of the struggles of others and the many possible approaches to conflict resolution. We cannot fully express the gratitude we feel in being able to train with this community and further the arts together now and into the future. Thank you for everything you’ve done!
Mr. Erik & the rest of the RSMA family
#rsmakarate #saversma
Since 1994 Rising Sun Martial Arts has served the local community by promoting fitness and healthy living and providing a fun, safe place for kids to participate in an art that dates back to ancient times. RSMA is a place where kids and families can meet, work out, make new friends and connections and grow mentally and physically. Located in center square Rising Sun, Maryland, our school teaches kids to stand up for themselves, speak up for themselves, think for themselves and strengthens the bonds of community and family.
There have been many ups and downs over the years, and we have always found ways to keep going and keep the kids engaged. Many have found a second family at RSMA. We have patrons now who were students when they were kids - bringing in their kids! - an honor unthought of when we opened. While many view the martial arts as matters of kicking and punching, our students have found that a martial arts education offers so much more. While we train self-confidence, overcoming fears, and solid self-defense skills, we also help with school and family issues, personal setbacks, and future success.
As with many business, the pandemic brought unique setbacks to RSMA. While we were fully shut down for four months, the staff scrambled to stay connected with students through internet based classes. Unfortunately, by the time we were OK’d to reopen, we had lost over 70 students, a 40% loss of participation. The shut downs also had the effect of closing our summer camp program for the year, and when schools were not reopening in the fall for in-person learning, our transported after school karate program also had to be closed. RSMA relied on shared advertising with local businesses, which generated about 70% of new student participation. With businesses having to clear their spaces of any unnecessary items that would require constant cleaning, this advertising approach had to be stopped.During this time RSMA received some help through the PPP Program and the SBA but this funding was limited and used to keep our full staff employed and continue to meet our other expenses for the operation of the business. We opened our Academy program to assist parents with the challenges of balancing work with their kids in school on-line. Every day was walking the razors edge but we were starting to get some traction as restrictions eased and more people became comfortable with participating in a program involving social contact.
With Rising Sun Martial Arts gaining momentum in the battle to remain open, we now face a new obstacle; our building owner has put the property up for sale. While we are fighting back against this financial crisis, we do not have the ability to respond to this issue alone. We must now turn to the generosity of our community and communities across the internet. If we lose control of the building we may have to close. If it is something you can afford please consider donating to us. Please also consider sharing this campaign info with others. We would not have made it this far without you and are humbled by your support. If we take control of the building we will upgrade it and be in a strong position to serve for at least another 27 years. Certainly we are aware of the difficult and uncertain times and situations all of us and our businesses are facing and that there are many worthy causes that need community assistance. All financial support will be only used to put RSMA in place to purchase the building and to continue to provide to our community and to do our part to keep center square beautiful and bustling. All who know us know our passion to help kids and adults have fun, get in shape and learn to pursue meaningful, joyful lives. It is our goal to continue to support the needs of families in our community and to promote positive values for future generations.Martial arts study is as old as the human experience. It is fun, exciting, rich with history and exposes students to different cultures, world views and value systems. Martial arts students learn of both the strength and frailty of the human condition, elevating their awareness of the struggles of others and the many possible approaches to conflict resolution. We cannot fully express the gratitude we feel in being able to train with this community and further the arts together now and into the future. Thank you for everything you’ve done!
Mr. Erik & the rest of the RSMA family
#rsmakarate #saversma
Organizer
Chriztie Elliott
Organizer
Rising Sun, MD