At the American Black Belt Academy in Massapequa Park, students don't just learn karate moves--they learn valuable lessons about community service, as well.

After seeing how cell phones could save lives during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Sept. 11, academy owners Tom and Lorraine LoVarco were inspired to hold a fundraiser to collect used cell phones for the Wireless Foundation. Their goal was to collect 500 phones, but with the help of their students, they easily exceeded that goal.

We had everyone helping out," Tom LoVarco explained. Andrea Newman, a student at the American Black Belt Academy who attends Nassau Community College, collected phones through the college's student government. The DiPaola family in Lindenhurst collected phones through the Lindenhurst Public School District. The Massapequa Chamber of Commerce pitched in by raising money through a raffle to help pay for shipping costs.

"We had heard of the Wireless Foundation before," LoVarco said. "Not only are the phones used in emergency situations, they are donated to older schools without intercom systems, to local auxiliary police divisions, and to families that have been subjected to domestic violence."

In the past, the LoVarco's, residents of Massapequa for 20 years, have used the popularity of their karate school to raise thousands of dollars to aid needy causes. In 1999, after Linda McCartney's death from breast cancer, Lorraine LoVarco, a big fan of McCartney's music, had the idea to raise money for the Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund in her memory. They rented the Berner Middle School auditorium, where students from the academy performed an hour-and-a-half long karate demonstration that was choreographed to music. The event raised $9,000 for the foundation.

"It gives the students a chance to show off their skills a little bit," LoVarco said. "We explain to them that all their efforts are going to a worthy cause." One of the most meaningful charitable events was when the academy raised over $16,000 for a Massapequa girl who needed a bilateral lung transplant. On a giant stage the academy erected on the ball field in Burns Park, backed by an enormous sound and light system donated by a local music store, the students showed off their karate skills to hundreds of community members. "The family of the little girl was in the audience," LoVarco said. "It was very emotional."

This year, like every year, the American Black Belt Academy plans to support the St. Rose Outreach Program in Massapequa Park by holding a food drive in the academy, as well as collecting food from attendees of an upcoming karate tournament. Future fund-raising efforts might go toward MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, LoVarco said.

Those who have a cell phone they wish to donate can send it to Call to Protect, c/o Motorola, 1580 E. Ellsworth Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48108.