National Martial Arts Day was acknowledged by New York State Governor George Pataki and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg with proclamations issued to the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Police Activity League Karate Program.

The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Police Activity League Karate Program participated in its fifth annual nationwide Kick-A-Thon fund-raiser event on Oct. 16. Coming close to its previous record of 74,789 kicks in one hour, the OB-EN PAL Karate program successfully completed 134,409 kicks.

The Kick-A-Thon is an event to raise money for "at risk" children. Participants raise money through sponsors to allow underprivileged children access to the community's physical and cultural programs. Eighty percent of the money raised comes right back to the local community. Of the staggering nationwide total, this year the OBEN PAL Karate program raised $2,772.

Thirty-five students participated this year in the event, sponsored by Project Action, as part of National Martial Arts Day (NMAD). NMAD, created by Project Action and the National Association of Professional Martial Artists, is designed to bring awareness and positive recognition to the arts.

Anyone interested in participation in the karate program may come to the Oyster Bay Community Center any Wednesday or Friday night from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact Sifu Andrew Hall at 922-4180.