Norwin student leads fundraising efforts to “Kick Parkinson’s Disease”
Galley led the group of 50 kickers by donating nearly $500.
PIND incorporates a “Kick-a-thon” portion where local martial artists literally kick for a mile non-stop alongside the walkers. Organizers believe it is the first of its kind in the region. Each of the participants kicked about 2,000 times.
The “Kick” concept was developed former state senator Sean Logan and Irwin native Bill Viola Jr., owner of Norwin Ninjas and Allegheny Shotokan Karate. Logan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in his mid-forties and Viola spent years caring for his grandmother, who died from neurodegenerative complications.
“I’ve been looking for a way to fight this epidemic, and having my school ‘Kick’ for a cure was a perfect fit. Building character is an important part of martial arts,” Viola said.
THE KARATE STUDENTS DONATED MORE THAN $4,500 TO THE INSTITUTE, BRINGING THE 2017 EFFORTS TO MORE THAN $100,000 FOR THE ENTIRE PROJECT WITH AID FROM CORPORATE SPONSORS AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
Learn about the 2018 Kick a thon
Progression:
| Year | Funds Raised | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $100,000 | Launch year of the PIND 5K fundraiser |
| 2018 | $300,000 | Tripled fundraising impact in year two |
| 2019 | $1,000,000 | Historic milestone — over $1 million raised |
About the 2026 Kick a thon
The Team USA Kick-A-Thon is a martial arts fundraiser designed to help athletes raise money to represent the United States in international competition. It is commonly used by kickboxing and karate teams—especially those competing under organizations like USA Kickboxing, which is the U.S. National Governing Body recognized by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
Given your involvement with Team USA athletes and the Pittsburgh martial arts community, events like the Norwin / Team Kumite 5K Kick-A-Thon follow this same model: combining a fitness challenge, community event, and fundraiser.
🥋 What a Team USA Kick-A-Thon Is
A Kick-A-Thon is similar to a traditional walk-a-thon or read-a-thon, but with martial arts techniques.
Athletes:
-
Collect pledges or sponsorships
-
Perform a set number of kicks or martial arts techniques
-
Complete them within a time or distance challenge
Example formats include:
-
1-mile kick challenge
-
5K Kick-A-Thon
-
1,000 kick challenge
-
Timed kick rounds (ex: kicks in 2 minutes)
Sponsors donate either:
-
Flat donations (ex: $50, $100, $500 sponsorship)
-
Per-kick pledges (ex: $0.10 per kick)
🇺🇸 Team USA Kick-A-Thon
For athletes competing internationally, costs add up quickly. Funds raised usually help cover:
-
International competition entry fees
-
Flights and travel
-
Team uniforms and gear
-
Coaching and training camps
-
National team registration fees
For example, many Team USA kickboxers competing in WAKO World Kickboxing Championships or other international events must pay their own way.
👊 Kick-A-Thon Structure
A community Kick-A-Thon often includes:
Kick Challenge
-
1-mile or 5K of kicks
-
Stations where participants perform combinations
Demonstrations
-
Karate/kickboxing demos
-
Board breaking
-
team forms
Family activities
-
Kids ninja courses
-
games and demonstrations
Community support
-
Local sponsors on event shirts
-
Business banners and booths
💡Martial Arts Fun
Kick-A-Thons are popular because they:
-
Show discipline and training
-
Engage students of all ages
-
Create community visibility
-
Help athletes achieve international dreams
They also reinforce martial arts values like perseverance, goal-setting, and teamwork.
