2011 USA Karate Memberships are available now in all categories.  And while you’re renewing yours, it makes a great Christmas gift for anyone you know who participates in USA Karate programs.  Buy one for you.  Buy one for them.  Give the gift of being a member of the premier karate organization in the United States, and the only one recognized by the United States Olympic Committee.

USA Karate Unveils New Program to Assist Underprivileged Athletes

Feel like giving the gift of participating in USA Karate, but not sure who to give it to.  Take part in our new USA Karate +1 Program, and ask for your gift to be donated to an underprivileged athlete.  Each year over 45,000 athlete participate in USA Karate either through our Signature Events, National Team Competition, or the excellent programming offered by our member clubs.  From high level athletic competition, to developmental programs and from teaching core values to developing lifelong friendships, involvement in USA Karate is an experience like no other that can last a lifetime.

But not everyone gets to participate in these great programs.  There are thousands of underprivileged athletes who long to participate and compete, but lack the resources to do so.  If we could allow even one of these athletes to have the chance to experience what USA Karate has to offer, we would all agree that it’s a great thing.  That is why we are proud to announce the USA Karate +1 Program.

Here’s how it works.  Each time you make a purchase at www.usankf.org, you will be given the opportunity to make a $50 donation to the +1 Program.  You can designate that donation one of two ways.  First, you can choose to apply the donation to a new member coming into USA Karate.  Perhaps it is a fellow karate-ka from you dojo.  It may be someone you met at an event that has great potential, but lacks the resources to participate in USA Karate programs.  It may even be someone who you want to start on their first steps of learning karate.  The choice is yours.

The other way you can apply your donation is the one we are most excited about.  If you choose, you can have your donation go toward the USA Karate +1 Scholarship Fund.  This fund will be available for underprivileged athletes to apply for scholarships for USA Karate memberships and competition expenses.  Our goal is to allow athletes who would never be able to join the National Governing Body, and who would never be able to attend the National Championships, the opportunity to do so.  Donations to this part of the program are tax-deductible.

Think of the positive ways karate as a whole and USA Karate programs have influenced you.  Think of the friends you’ve made at USA Karate events.  Think of the fitness you’ve attained training at your local USA Karate member club.  Think of the benefits to your entire life that you’ve gained through karate.  Shouldn’t one more person be able to experience all of that and more.  We think so,  Allow that to happen and when you make your next purchase at www.usankf.org, add +1 and change lives one person at a time.