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Posted on Fri, Apr. 3, 2009
Aid program helps boy get his kicks
By JENNIFER KLIMOWICZ
Philadelphia Daily News
klimowj@phillynews.com 215-854-5991
To the left: Mateo Sanders (left) practices with instructor Marcello
Cancelliere at Red Tiger Taekwon-Do in the Northeast.
Every day on his way home from school, 7-year-old Mateo Sanders
looked through the window of the Red Tiger Taekwon-Do center
in Northeast Philadelphia, longing to be part of the action inside.
But Mateo's father, Donnel, was laid off in February from the
Frankford-Torresdale Country Club, and martial arts didn't fit
into the family budget.
That began to change the day a friend told Mateo's mother, Cecily
Sanders, 41, a nursing assistant at Frankford Hospital-Bucks
County, about the Yardley-based Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream
Foundation, which helps low-income children and young adults
pay for enriching activities.
Thanks to his mother's efforts, Mateo was able to get a foundation
scholarship. On Tuesday, he finally joined the snap-kicking,
fist-jabbing action at the first of a year's worth of free classes
at the center.
Mateo, who lives on Grant Avenue near Fordham Road, kicked,
punched and ran obstacle courses during the hour-long practice
in the basement of Red Tiger, on Welsh Road near Bustleton Avenue.
He and his mother couldn't be happier.
"I get to snap wood in half!" Mateo
shouted after his practice.
"It's good for children to communicate with other kids," his
mother said. "He's so excited."
The nonprofit foundation, founded by Gene and Michele Rice,
of Newtown, helps children and young adults, aged 8 to 21, engage
in passions such as dancing, acting, singing, cooking, sports
or martial arts.
"We allow them to pursue just about anything they like," said
Michele Rice.
Before starting Plant a Seed, the Rices worked for the Make
a Wish Foundation for 15 years, helping countless seriously ill
children fulfill their dreams.
"We absolutely loved working with the children," Rice
said, "and we had always wanted to start our own thing."
After running a weeklong basketball camp at the George School
in Newtown, the Rices decided to launch something more permanent,
and Plant a Seed was born.
"I really believe that everyone has a moment in their life
when they can go one way or another," Rice said. "By
taking these kids that have no role model, we are really changing
the course of their life."
For scholarship information, or to donate or get involved, visit
www.plantaseedfoundation.com or call 215-321-4100. |
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