Contact Kicks Martial Arts
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Hi Everyone!
My name is Scott, and I am a silent partner in the small business of Sensei Steve Fogarasi and his wife, Senpai Mici Fogarasi.
I'd like to tell you the Canadian story of Contact Kicks Martial Arts and its community, which has been growing over the past 10 years.
My goal is to inspire you to join our fight to keep CKMA open, by finding a new location, as we lost our current location due to the impact of COVID-19.
CKMA started in Canada in 2010 in a Dance studio, after Steve and Mici immigrated from Romania, and later, after some students joining, it moved to its first commercial space. During this time, Sensei Steve worked construction during the day and would go each evening to offer Kyokushin Karate and Kickboxing classes. An exhausting endeavor, but one that was filled by a passion for teaching and sharing his knowledge, and a dream of having his own full-time school some day.
I joined at this location, and after seeing his talent and dedication, myself along with another student, we decided to invest and help Sensei Steve realize his dream of having a full-time dojo!
Not long after, we secured and moved into the location most of you know now. Let me tell you, it was not an easy transition and move. We were all new to this, and the unknowns bit us hard! But, true to Kyokushin spirit, we persevered!
For five years, we have grown at this location. The student base has grown, we have developed champions, people have become healthier, developed friendships, and ultimately became the CKMA Family!
CKMA Dojo is also the Headquarters for the International Federation of Karate - Kyokushin Canada with dojos affiliated from Ontario and Quebec.
We have been through some hardships, but we have always overcome them, with the help of you, the CKMA family. However, now we are faced with something that none of us saw coming.
The closure of businesses due to the lock-down to alleviate the spread of COVID has had a detrimental effect on small businesses, and CKMA is no exception. CKMA closed it's doors March 16th of this year, when the government required it.
Sensei Steve transformed the website to provide video content for learning purposes and started teaching classes online via Zoom. Many members remained active and participate in our classes, but many decided not to participate or renew their memberships. Which we understand, as it's a very difficult situation due to loss of revenue and other personal issues this situation has caused.
The lease that was supposed to be renewed this June, but due to the lock-down, we did not renew, and also we were not able to secure a new location, especially not knowing when we will be allowed to reopen.
Our dojo will be closing its current physical location on May 31st, but we will continue with the online classes on Zoom with the regular schedule.
We are actively looking to secure a new space in the area, and we are hoping to reopen as soon as possible, maybe July-August or when we are allowed.
We know that moments like this are very difficult and challenging for many. Individuals and businesses suffered great financial losses. We lost thousands in revenue, and our rent was still demanded by our landlord, while we barely made any revenue from our few active paying members. As a business, we did not qualify for the financial loan provided to closed business. The dojo and the business is the sole income for Sensei Steve and his family.
The reason we are sharing this with you all is to understand that now, more than ever, we will need your support to keep going and re-open the dojo.
How can you help?
By keeping your membership active and continuing your training online. Membership options available for new students also!
By purchasing CKMA merchandise and training gear directly from our website.
By donating to our GoFundMe to help provide funds needed to secure a new location and sign a new lease, which we lost due to rent coverage without active students.
We came so far since we opened our doors in 2010, and our members grew with us, some from the very first day to this day.
We have established ourselves as a reputable dojo in Canada; our competitors and instructors are top levels. This is undeniable.
We want to keep it this way!
We are counting on your continuous support and help. Contact Kicks Martial Arts is you!
Sincerely,
Senpai Scott Heaney, on behalf of,
Sensei Steve, Senpai Mici and CKMA Family.
Osu!
My name is Scott, and I am a silent partner in the small business of Sensei Steve Fogarasi and his wife, Senpai Mici Fogarasi.
I'd like to tell you the Canadian story of Contact Kicks Martial Arts and its community, which has been growing over the past 10 years.
My goal is to inspire you to join our fight to keep CKMA open, by finding a new location, as we lost our current location due to the impact of COVID-19.
CKMA started in Canada in 2010 in a Dance studio, after Steve and Mici immigrated from Romania, and later, after some students joining, it moved to its first commercial space. During this time, Sensei Steve worked construction during the day and would go each evening to offer Kyokushin Karate and Kickboxing classes. An exhausting endeavor, but one that was filled by a passion for teaching and sharing his knowledge, and a dream of having his own full-time school some day.
I joined at this location, and after seeing his talent and dedication, myself along with another student, we decided to invest and help Sensei Steve realize his dream of having a full-time dojo!
Not long after, we secured and moved into the location most of you know now. Let me tell you, it was not an easy transition and move. We were all new to this, and the unknowns bit us hard! But, true to Kyokushin spirit, we persevered!
For five years, we have grown at this location. The student base has grown, we have developed champions, people have become healthier, developed friendships, and ultimately became the CKMA Family!
CKMA Dojo is also the Headquarters for the International Federation of Karate - Kyokushin Canada with dojos affiliated from Ontario and Quebec.
We have been through some hardships, but we have always overcome them, with the help of you, the CKMA family. However, now we are faced with something that none of us saw coming.
The closure of businesses due to the lock-down to alleviate the spread of COVID has had a detrimental effect on small businesses, and CKMA is no exception. CKMA closed it's doors March 16th of this year, when the government required it.
Sensei Steve transformed the website to provide video content for learning purposes and started teaching classes online via Zoom. Many members remained active and participate in our classes, but many decided not to participate or renew their memberships. Which we understand, as it's a very difficult situation due to loss of revenue and other personal issues this situation has caused.
The lease that was supposed to be renewed this June, but due to the lock-down, we did not renew, and also we were not able to secure a new location, especially not knowing when we will be allowed to reopen.
Our dojo will be closing its current physical location on May 31st, but we will continue with the online classes on Zoom with the regular schedule.
We are actively looking to secure a new space in the area, and we are hoping to reopen as soon as possible, maybe July-August or when we are allowed.
We know that moments like this are very difficult and challenging for many. Individuals and businesses suffered great financial losses. We lost thousands in revenue, and our rent was still demanded by our landlord, while we barely made any revenue from our few active paying members. As a business, we did not qualify for the financial loan provided to closed business. The dojo and the business is the sole income for Sensei Steve and his family.
The reason we are sharing this with you all is to understand that now, more than ever, we will need your support to keep going and re-open the dojo.
How can you help?
By keeping your membership active and continuing your training online. Membership options available for new students also!
By purchasing CKMA merchandise and training gear directly from our website.
By donating to our GoFundMe to help provide funds needed to secure a new location and sign a new lease, which we lost due to rent coverage without active students.
We came so far since we opened our doors in 2010, and our members grew with us, some from the very first day to this day.
We have established ourselves as a reputable dojo in Canada; our competitors and instructors are top levels. This is undeniable.
We want to keep it this way!
We are counting on your continuous support and help. Contact Kicks Martial Arts is you!
Sincerely,
Senpai Scott Heaney, on behalf of,
Sensei Steve, Senpai Mici and CKMA Family.
Osu!
Organizer and beneficiary
Scott Heaney
Organizer
Concord, ON
Istvan Fogarasi
Beneficiary
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