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| Tiger-Rock Martial Arts Chief Instructor, Scott Bailey, demonstrates release techniques to the children. |
Director of the event, Christina Ruibal, stated the event “was entirely inspirational, from the initial concept, to the instructional program design, and the community support. It was upbeat and exciting, and most importantly, it was educational.” The event provided the children of the community the opportunity to train in Tiger-Rock TaeKwonDo, while learning tactics to escape from strangers, and how to walk away from bullying situations in school.
Scott Bailey, Tiger-Rock Martial Arts Academy Manager, described the event as being a wonderful portrayal of our Tiger-Rock tenet of community. “With the event being the first of its kind for the organization, there were some obstacles to overcome. However, through local support of businesses, the Tiger-Rock Academy, and our Knoxville community, we came together to support an organization that reaches out to millions of people, young and old, with diabetes.”
The event was initially inspired when Zach Ruibal (Pictured Below), a green belt at Tiger-Rock Martial Arts and son to Gus and Christina Ruibal, was diagnosed with type one diabetes at the age of eight. At the hospital upon diagnosis of type one diabetes, the Ruibal family declared, “We are a team, if he can’t, we can’t,” which was referring to Zach’s inability to eat various food items. Since then, the Ruibal family has taken the initiative to lead a healthier life, and are determined to see a better future for Zachary and all type one diabetics.
Tiger-Rock Martial Arts would like to acknowledge and appreciate our local sponsors for donating to the “Kick for the Cure”: Puleo’s Grille on North Peters Road, Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill on North Peters Road, the Knoxville Ice Bears, Nationwide Insurance Agent Lazara Semanate, Panera Bread on North Peters Road, and Keva Juice.
We would also like to mention a special thanks to Pamela Kreuz for baking healthy treats for the children, Katie Reece for JDRF decorations, and Scott Bailey for the instruction of the class.
The “Kick For the Cure” event raised $738 for JDRF to benefit the research to cure Type One Diabetes.
With over 200 locations nationwide, Tiger-Rock Martial Arts International® is the nation’s largest martial arts and fitness franchise. In 2011, Tiger-Rock was ranked #293 in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 33rd Annual Franchise 500 and was ranked #1 in their category. The highest purpose of Tiger-Rock education is to prepare students for the responsibilities of citizenship and to promote a healthy lifestyle. For more information, or to find the nearest Tiger-Rock Martial Arts facility, please visit www.tigerrockmartialarts.com or www.WestKnoxTigerRock.com
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| Zach Ruibal, age 8, and Green Belt at Tiger-Rock Martial Arts of West Knoxville and mother, Christina Ruibal, host the "Kick for the Cure" event. |
