Alabama to Pandamonium

Seven members of Silent River Kung Fu recently went to Alabama to take part in the Alabama Build-Vention. The Alabama Build-Vention is where like minded people from the Martial Arts community go to Greensboro Alabama and donate their labor to the community. We do what they require of us and we do it with vigor and without complaining. I was one of the lucky seven who went this year.

This project has a way of changing how you view the world. The community is very poor and a lot of the buildings are in disrepair and would be condemned around here. However in Alabama, these buildings are peoples homes , businesses and schools. The project I was working on was installing flooring in a old school that was slated to be destroyed and burned. Hero Housing bought the building for $3000 and had it moved to a new site in Greensboro. This building is going to be used to help youths aged 16-24 obtain there GED. To be able to help to complete this building even in the small amount that I did was life changing.

Every person that we met down there asked if we were part of the volunteer group. When we answered yes, they all thanked us for what we were doing and they were all very appreciative. To be able to do something like this was not only gratifying but also very moving. Our group this year saved them months of work and has allowed them to fast-track the opening of this building. My biggest regret is that I felt we did not have enough time down there and I wish we had a few more days to continue the work. I have already began planning my trip there next year as I cant wait to go back. My goal is to convince as many people to go as possible so they can benefit as much as I have.

So what does Alabama have to do with Pandamonium? Everything. We have the same opportunity to affect peoples lives here. By raising awareness for our charities, we will be able to support them long term. The goal should be informing people on what the charities we support do. Let them know what an education means to a girl from Malawi. Tell them about why it is important that a wolf is vital to the ecosystem. What about being able to feed 1,00 people? Instead of someone just donating money they may decide to look up the charity themselves and from there who knows how they may be inspired. As Tom Callos kept telling us is the donations are important but the people doing the work is where the real benefit comes in. I hope that all of you are inspired by this but even if it is only one then I would be happy. It is hard to put into words the effect that we can have on people but trust me from first hand experience it will be something that will be with you for the rest of your life and it is something that will make you feel great.

P.S. There were 2 professional fighters down there. Chris Mierzwiak and Neil Magney. In the evenings they do some rolling (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) on the mats and I got to roll with Neil. Awesome.