HALO Foundation’s Board-Break-A-Thon
Compassion in Action
Human hands destroyed 4,500 wooden boards by the most basic of armaments – human hands and feet – in early December at the Crown Center Exhibit Hall in downtown Kansas City. In a display of martial arts prowess, students from regional Tae Kwon Do schools laid waste to thousands of wooden planks with the best of intentions – raising money for Third World orphans.
Organized by The HALO Foundation, a Kansas City-based nonprofit that sponsors orphanages in Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, India, Nicaragua, and Vietnam, the fourth annual Board-Break-A-Thon was a huge success, and not just because of the enormous volume of splintered wood left in scalable piles and rolling waste bins. Over the bedlam of focused screams and the percussion-like splintering of wood, another sound marked the event’s true nature – the sound of compassion in action.
The good vibrations started earlier in the morning before the board breaking at the first-ever ClubHALO art and essay competition. Area children of all ages had submitted art and essays under two themes: ‘What are you grateful for?” and “Why is it important to care for others?”
To live in a world where economic development can occur, the people that live there must come together. ––Michelle Vierra
Amber Chavez, a fifth grader in Kansas City, won first place in her age division by detailing an experience she had while helping a homeless family. “You should help people…because they might need food and other things to be ok,” said Chavez. “You should help people so they can be fine and everything can turn out for the better.”
Michelle Vierra, 17, also a first place finisher in the essay competition, shared a portion of her essay on benevolence.“Being a caring person is essential in co-existing with other human beings,” said Vierra. “To live in a world where economic development can occur, the people that live there must come together.”
Vierra’s sentiments are timely, especially when considered against the economic crisis currently facing the U.S. Nationwide, charitable organizations have seen a steady decline in donations.
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