Two Elmont third-graders, Amanda Bisz and Jennifer Lisojo, are enrolled in karate lessons at the Long Island Shotokan Karate School in West Hempstead. Recently, the girls participated in a different type of lesson at the school.

The karate students held their first annual kick-a-thon to benefit the children at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. On the evening of the event, the youngsters, led by their three karate Sensei, worked to achieve their goal of 2,000 kicks. The students proudly demonstrated their karate skills for parents and friends and collected pledges from their sponsors. Several local merchants donated refreshments for the kick-a-thon, including Elmont's Sapienza Bakery.

In addition to learning and understanding martial arts, the practice of karate helps children grow physically and emotionally. Involvement in the kick-a-thon gave Amanda, Jennifer and their karate school classmates a lesson in caring, and taught them the importance of engaging in positive activities that support people who are less fortunate.

The kick-a-thon exceeded its fund-raising goal of $5,500 for St. Jude's - a center for research and treatment of catastrophic diseases in children, primarily pediatric cancers.