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Holiday dodgeball event to raise funds for youth suicide prevention

Cascadia Martial Arts’ ‘Jingle Balls’ event taking different approach to holiday celebrations
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Cascadia Martial Arts is hosting a “Jingle Balls” charity dodgeball event for their holiday party. (File contributed/Adam Ziorio)

A local martial arts school starts the holiday season with a friendly life lesson: if you can dodge a kick, you can dodge a ball.

That’s why Cascadia Martial Arts is throwing “Jingle Balls,” a charity dodgeball tournament for their adult and kid students.

“Everyone throws a year-end celebration, and it’s usually a potluck, but we just didn’t feel like cooking,” said Elena Fletcher, marketing director for Cascadia. “We thought that since we’re a fitness studio, that it would be more interesting for everyone to move around. We always play dodgeball with the kids, it’s pretty hilarious.”

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The friendly tournament will be held at Glenlyon Norfolk Middle School, which donated its gym space for the event. The tournament will also function as a fundraiser for the Need2, a local suicide prevention organization.

“Most charities benefit from actual money, and I felt this was a good way to donate a little more,” said April Larocque, owner of Cascadia. “Need2 is youth-oriented, and also a smaller charity.”

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Kids up to age 13 will play in the early afternoon, and adults later in the day. Each person must register and make a minimum suggested donation of $10, though Larocque said some community members have already donated much more. Additionally, local James Bay businesses have donated prizes for players.

Fletcher hoped the tournament would help unite the community, and avoid awkward potluck conversations.

“We have two programs, the kickboxing and taekwondo; this is a fun chance for both programs to meet and mingle,” she said. “We are serious about fitness and the discipline of taekwondo, our approach is rooted in enjoyment, fun, friendship, and positivity. Which explains Jingle Balls, and not a party with dainty meatball appetizers.”

The event will run on Dec. 15 starting at 12:30 p.m.

For more information, you can visit cascadiavictoria.com

nicole.crescenzi@vicnews.com


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