Self Defense Instructor/Minister-50 Years!

I am starting this GoFundMe on behalf of my mentor and teacher of nearly 30 years,  Bill Durbin. Bill is located in Frankfort, Kentucky, and is the Soke (Headmaster) of Kiyojute Ryu Kempo, which he founded in 1982. 2020 marks 50 years in the martial arts for Bill, and he still teaches 12+ classes/week, ages 6-100. Bill has always seen his self defense teaching as a ministry, hoping to make people's lives better through practice, dedication, and being positive. This is an anomaly in contrast to most martial arts of today, where sparring, competition, negativity, and injuries are commonplace. Bill and his wife, Carol, are in the center back row of the picture above, amidst the 10+-year master students of the system. Bill has many other students besides those pictured here, including many children and many seniors, located in various facilities in the Frankfort area. Many of his senior students he teaches for free, and his tuition for regular students who come to the dojo throughout the week has been kept to a bare-bones minimum. He does this to not exclude students who want quality training, but are limited financially. I, myself, was one of these students in the early 90s, and was taught for very little money. As the years have rolled on and inflation has increased, it has been more and more challenging to keep up, hence the request for gifted funds. Bill has been incredibly diligent with finances over the decades, it's simply that the income for a teacher of traditional, self-defense-based martial arts is meager. If finances did thin to the point of having to close doors, many children and long-time students who have found a safe haven and direction through the training, would suddenly be set adrift. This is especially alarming, as the positive influences and activities for adults, and particularly children have long been in short supply. Many people in the Kentucky area don't realize what a terrific, positive, community-building presence Bill's system has created, but he has by this point, taught thousands, since he began in the early-70s. We have people teaching throughout Kentucky and we have schools in Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, and out West. Bill also ministers and counsels people inside and outside of the system, and is truly like a father figure for many. He has been constantly helpful and available for so many over the years, without asking for much in return. He has never had money obsessions, feeling that the money train many times brings a compromise to teaching and service. While most who read this will certainly attest this to be true, there is also the flip side, the paradox of money, which has a stark reality. Any generosity achieved through this effort would go directly to the mortgage to pay off the building, living expenses, and supplies for the facilities. I'm setting the funding time at 3 months, to give it a chance to get around. The funding is important to me, personally, as I know the training has made me a much better person, and has helped me deal with many life issues. I've been able to help others, as a result, trying my best to give back. Any other student of Bill's would undoubtedly say the same. I recommend people look at the website, kiyojuteryu.org, which details what we do. You will also find more pictures and videos there. Please give to this man and the worthy cause he started many years ago, so he can continue his journey and keep giving life and light to our communities, benefitting us all.