We Are Fighting Together Fundraiser
Donation protected
#smallbusinessrelief
Dear Friends and Family of the Judo Community,
Some of you may know me and others may not…my name is Celita Schutz, I am a 3x US Judo Olympian. I own and operate Kokushikai Judo Academy, NJ where I have been teaching judo with Sensei Yoichiro Matsumura full time since my last Olympics in 2004. I and the members of Kokushikai Judo Academy hope that this note finds you and those you care about well.
As a 3x Olympian, I have great appreciation for all the people who supported me in my career as a judo athlete over a decade of international competition and three Olympics (’96, ’00, ’04). But now as one of the very few full-time female judo instructors in the US running a large dojo on the east coast for the last 15 years, I am finding that the challenge of keeping Kokushikai Judo Academy open is tougher than all the obstacles I faced in my journey through the Olympics.
Those of you who know me personally, know that asking for help has never been easy for me. In addition, I know this is the worst time to ask for support because so many people need it right now. But at this point, I have no other choice. I am facing the reality that our dojo may not survive through the summer without support from people beyond our immediate membership.
I teach our students of all ages not to give up in the face of adversity. This is what I learned from my instructor, Sensei Nagayasu Ogasawara when I began judo at the age of six. Over the years, I have seen such growth, strength, passion and perseverance in the hearts of Kokushikai students that I am obligated to get over my fear of asking for help. So today, I am asking you for your help in the form of a donation to Kokushikai Judo Academy.
Donation checks of any amount can also be mailed to:
Koushikai Judo Academy
24-28 Fair Lawn Ave.
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
While every state’s response to the pandemic has been crafted to suit their particular circumstances, the one universal factor is the impact it has had on the economy and business. Reopening is happening in different stages in different parts of the country. New Jersey has been hit especially hard being part of the epicenter of the virus on the east coast. As a result, we will most likely be among the last of the states to fully open and the last of the activities to get back to “normal.” Most large businesses will weather this storm, but the heaviest burden has fallen on small businesses that simply do not have the resources to remain open without revenue coming in for this length of time.
Kokushikai is no exception. On March 18, we complied with the state of New Jersey to suspend instruction for the health and well-being of our members. For the last eight weeks, we have done everything possible to cover rent and utilities for the dojo, so when the lockdown is lifted, we can once again invite families and students back for training and judo development.
After long hours of filing applications and working with our bank, Kokushikai Judo Academy received $1000 through the EIDL program. Unfortunately, Kokushikai is not eligible for any of the other state and federal programs offered to small businesses as they are currently structured, and we are not in position to take out loans with higher interest rates. That means that despite the required closure and resulting near-total loss of revenue, we must continue to cover the monthly operational expenses without financial aid or another source of income.
Some of our members have generously maintained their memberships through these financially troubled times while others, also stricken with difficult times, were unable to continue. We are sincerely grateful to those who have helped carry the deficit so far. Together we have managed to keep the dojo alive through April and May. Based on our projections, however, we will not have enough to make it through the summer without some immediate fundraising.
A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated and will help bridge the gap of this closure until we get the green light from the state of NJ to open again in full force.
With the need so urgent, we have launched an emergency fundraiser called: We are Fighting Together Fundraiser. Anyone can participate by making an instant donation, and sharing this information with their friends, family and personal network. Other local fundraising efforts are planned as well.
All funds raised will used for operational expenses. Our goal is to raise $23,000 by the end of June. Cash donations are already coming in, but we will need more help than our members are able to provide in order to survive.
We believe it is critical not just for our own community, but for all of Judo, to do our best to fight through this challenge and
Organizer
Celita Schutz
Organizer
Fair Lawn, NJ