Phoenix Martial Arts Murfreesboro Kick-A-Thon Raises $3,260.50 for Greenhouse Ministries

On August 16, 2025, the mats at Phoenix Martial Arts Murfreesboro became more than a place to practice Taekwondo. They became a platform for community impact.

Twenty-four of our students stepped up—not just to throw punches and kicks, but to serve. Together, they collected pledges, laced up their belts, and poured their hearts into a one-minute challenge: throw as many kicks as possible, raising money with every strike.

The result?

• $3,260.50 raised for Greenhouse Ministries
  
  
• 2,778 total kicks thrown
  
  
• 24 students participating with grit and determination
  
  

This was more than a martial arts fundraiser. It was proof that when kids are given a mission bigger than themselves, they rise.

What is a Kick-A-Thon?

A Kick-A-Thon is simple, but powerful. Students collect pledges from family, friends, and local businesses—either as a flat donation or as an amount per kick. On event day, each student has one minute to kick as many times as possible.

It’s not about perfect form or flashy technique. It’s about heart. It’s about effort. It’s about showing that even young students can make a difference in their community.

For parents in Murfreesboro wondering how martial arts training goes beyond self-defense, a Kick-A-Thon is the perfect example. It blends discipline with service. It transforms the kicks learned in class into impact for families in need.

Why Phoenix Martial Arts Did It

At Phoenix, our core values are simple but powerful: Safety, Service, Leadership, and Connection.

Yes, we teach Taekwondo. Yes, students learn focus, fitness, and self-defense. But if that’s all martial arts ever is, then we’ve missed the bigger picture.

We believe in raising not just strong athletes—but strong leaders. Not just disciplined kids—but compassionate ones. That’s why we partnered with Greenhouse Ministries for this Kick-A-Thon.

Greenhouse is more than a charity. They provide food through their pantry, clothing through their thrift store, cooking and parenting classes, counseling, a medical clinic, and even an “earn a bike” program where volunteers trade service hours for transportation. They also help people regain their footing by providing ID packages (birth certificates and social security cards), so they can rejoin the workforce and rebuild their lives.

By partnering with Greenhouse, our students saw firsthand how service can change lives. And they got to be part of it.

The Results: $3,260.50 Raised for Murfreesboro Families

This year’s Kick-A-Thon fundraiser didn’t just meet expectations—it shattered them.

We set a goal of $2,500. By the time the last kick landed, we had raised $3,260.50.

Here are just a few of the highlights:

• Minh-Khue donated $265 of her own birthday money she had been saving. A powerful reminder that kids give generously when their hearts are inspired.
  
  
• Dustin brought pledge forms on vacation to Florida and pitched his family one by one. He returned with a stack of pledges and a proud smile.
  
  
• Elijah led the way as top fundraiser, collecting over $325 in pledges.
  
  
• Families stepped in to help one another—when a student’s car wouldn’t start, others offered rides to make sure everyone could be there.
  
  
• Even students who were sick and couldn’t attend donated to support the cause.
  
  

And on the mats?

• 24 students participated
  
  
• 2,778 kicks were thrown in total
  
  
• Every kick = a little more hope for families in Murfreesboro
  
  

This wasn’t just fundraising. This was Murfreesboro community impact in action.

Why It Matters to Parents

Parents often ask: “What makes martial arts different from other activities?”

Here’s the answer: soccer teaches teamwork. Music teaches discipline. School teaches academics.

But martial arts, when taught with purpose, teaches all of those things plus character, leadership, and service.

The Kick-A-Thon was living proof. Students didn’t just practice forms or break boards—they learned what it means to give back. They discovered that perseverance isn’t just for tournaments, it’s for life. And they saw that their effort could change lives beyond the mats.

For families in Murfreesboro looking for more than just another extracurricular activity, this is why youth martial arts training matters.

Partnering with Greenhouse Ministries

Why Greenhouse? Because they understand what it means to lift people up, not just give them a handout.

They help people gain stability by meeting immediate needs—food, clothing, counseling—while also equipping them for long-term success. With IDs restored, bikes earned, and skills taught, people leave Greenhouse with tools for the future.

When our students raised money for Greenhouse, they weren’t just funding programs. They were fueling transformation.

That’s why this Kick-A-Thon was so powerful. It connected martial arts students with real-world service and showed families how martial arts can directly contribute to the Murfreesboro community.

More Than Kicks: Building a Legacy

Yes, the check presentation was exciting. A giant check always is. But what mattered more was seeing our students beam with pride.

They didn’t just raise money. They raised their own standards.

They saw that discipline on the mats leads to discipline in life. That leadership is about serving others. That connection isn’t just about teammates—it’s about neighbors, families, and strangers who need a hand up.

And that legacy? It will outlive the kicks thrown on August 16.

What’s Next for Phoenix Martial Arts Murfreesboro

At Phoenix, we’re just getting started. This Kick-A-Thon was our first—but it won’t be our last.

We plan to continue blending martial arts training with service opportunities. Because we don’t just want to create black belts—we want to raise leaders who make a difference.

If you’re a parent in Murfreesboro who wants your child to:

• Grow in confidence and focus
  
  
• Build discipline and perseverance
  
  
• Develop a heart for service
  
  

…then Phoenix Martial Arts is where it happens.

👉 Learn more about our kids martial arts classes in Murfreesboro here: Kids Martial Arts

When Kids Kick, Communities Rise

The giant check wasn’t just a bucket-list moment. It was proof that kids, when given the chance, can lead with heart and make a lasting impact.

At Phoenix Martial Arts Murfreesboro, we’ll keep kicking, keep serving, and keep raising leaders who change the world—one kick at a time.