Mastery Martial Arts donates 1,200 toys to children in need

Mastery Martial Arts students, family members, and instructors held a toy drive and participated in Wreaths Across America as a part of a volunteer initiative this holiday season.

Mastery collected more than 1,200 toys for children in need across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. Donation bins were placed in all six Mastery locations in Cumberland, East Greenwich, Johnston, Smithfield, Warwick, and North Attleboro. Mastery also collaborated with local fire and police departments, as well as the Happy Basket Program of Cumberland to deliver holiday cheer across the Ocean State.

The team held a collection party on December 9 to culminate the toy drive and to celebrate those
who volunteered their time to gather up toys in their communities. “Being a part of these charitable events helps our students learn the true meaning of the holiday spirit,” says Anthony Pezzillo, partner at Mastery Martial Arts. “It teaches students how they can make a positive impact on someone’s life at a young age.”

Mastery students, family members, and instructors also participated in Wreaths Across America Day on December 17 at the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery. The annual ceremony is held across the nation to remember the fallen, honor those who served, and teach future generations about the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms.

Several war veterans spoke about their experience on the battlefield and shared how to help veterans and their families this holiday season. The Color Guard posted the colors to conclude the ceremony before families placed wreaths on veterans’ headstones. As wreaths were laid upon each headstone, everyone was encouraged to say the name of that veteran, reflect on their life, and thank them for their service.

“These events have shifted our students’ and parents’ mindset from expecting to receive to wanting to give back,” says Mr. Pezzillo. “Participating in these events not only brings us together as martial arts students, but it also brings us all closer to our towns and communities.”

The Mastery volunteer program continues to gain momentum each year and the team looks forward to making an even bigger impact in 2023. These volunteer efforts align with Mastery’s mission to teach children self-discipline, hard work, confidence, and respect, while promoting health and fitness.

About Mastery Martial Arts
Martial arts classes benefit growing children far beyond the dojo. The true benefit of our classes can be seen from day one as children begin to build confidence, discipline, self-awareness, and respect. The skills learned in our structured classes apply to many real-world scenarios as children develop character and success traits that they can carry with them into adulthood. We have six convenient locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and we teach children ages 3-16. When you enroll your child in a Mastery Martial Arts class, you’re giving them much more than the physical skills we teach. You’re giving them the opportunity to thrive. Through positive reinforcement, we can bring out the best in your children to help them succeed in life.

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