Tohkon Judo Academy

By all measures, 2020 has been a horrible year. Our thoughts go out to all who have lost family and friends, and those who endured the pain and suffering brought on by the virus. We have all shared in the loss of our normal lives, and have been making do, as best we can, to endure until the pandemic ceases.

The same is true of the dojo. Tohkon Judo Academy exists as a center where we collectively rejuvenate our bodies and spirits by participating in our chosen “way”. Without your active participation, the dojo would not and could not exist.

We have great plans on how Tohkon Judo will emerge from this pandemic, stronger in spirit for what we have survived. The fact that we have not been able to physically interact with one another has emphasized how important that interaction is to our social and emotional well-being. Knowing that, we will rebuild and strengthen our existing programs to enhance their effects on body, spirit and community. We intend to expand outreach efforts in 2021, and grow the breadth and depth of our Junior programs.

To do this, we need your help. Happily, Tohkon Judo Academy has gained the support of a donor who will match other donations we receive, up to $20,000 total. That means every dollar you can share in support of our efforts to enhance the value of Judo in your life will have twice the impact! Your support will also help Tohkon impact the lives of those less fortunate that can benefit from learning Judo.

Tohkon Judo Academy is a 501(c)(3) corporation. We will send an acknowledgment of your tax-deductible donation and copy of our tax-exempt status so you can use it to the full extent of the law.

Thank you for all the support you have already given to Tohkon Judo Academy!

Hello,
My name is David Hertweck and I am a blind judoka (person who practices the martial art / sport of judo).  After the last 33 years of practicing judo, it is hard for me to put into a few words the tremendous positive impact judo has had on my life.  Beyond the positive physical benefits of judo, the sport has also given me lifelong friends and the confidence to compete in the sighted world.  It has helped me become a blind engineer designing medical equipment that is used to restore eyesight.

One of the many people that I met through judo is Douglas K. Tono, or Doug for short.  It is  my privilege to count him as a lifelong friend.  Doug is an exceptional coach and teacher of judo.  He is the leader of Tohkon Judo Academy, a truly world-class judo school located in Chicago IL.  One of Doug's programs is Visually Impaired Judo  classes for youth (VIJY).  These classes are taught in the actual schools the youth attend.  Judo is one of the few contact sports / martial arts that requires little or no modification for a blind person to compete with a sighted person on a level playing field.  It is extremely rare for blind youth to experience something like this.  This environment provides a tremendous confidence and self-esteem builder.   For many of these youths this program provides their only exposure to a truly life changing art.
 
Recently, Doug's funding for the VIJ program was cut.  Without funding he cannot continue the program.

Having witnessed Doug working with these young people and seeing their confidence grow as they learn and master a technique is truly extraordinary.  Beyond the physical dimension, judo stresses development of the mind, learning not only physical techniques but the philosophy and culture that surrounds judo.  Doug's program is ground-breaking.  If we can keep it going it will be the model to expand the teaching to other schools and cities.

One of the primary teachings of Judoe is mutual welfare and benefit, that is, for me to become a better person I need to try to improve the life's of others.  In this spirit of mutual welfare and benefit, I started this fund raiser to support Doug's program to in turn help improve the lives of visually impaired youth.  

Our goal in starting this program is to fund the VIJ program for one year.  In order to do this, we need to raise $15,000 through this program and other fund raisers.   Any help you could offer will surely make a positive impact in the lives of some wonderful and deserving young people.

Thank you for any help you can give.