Martial arts students broke boards to raise funds for hospital

Twenty-one students at Simmons Family Martial Arts in Cape Girardeau participated in a board break-a-thon to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital recently. Students canvassed the Cape Girardeau area for sponsors to donate to the effort, with each student breaking between two and 10 boards each. Altogether $750 was raised.

For many of the students, it was their first time breaking boards, and in preparation, they conditioned their hands in practice to reduce the chance of injury.

The students also send cards and donations to St. Joseph Indian School in South Dakota year-round. Plans for another break-a-thon are on the agenda at Simmons Family Martial Arts. For more information, call 339-1818.