The Alternative Press

Students at Somerville Martial Arts Academy on South Bridge St. banded together this past month and raised $10,001 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital — double their goal. Inspired by the “Break-a-Thon” in which Masters Patrick Mehrtens and Kyle Freeman broke 2,000 boards to raise $9,000 for the American Cancer Society in 2010, the students worked toward an initial goal of $5,000. 

On June 22, more than 150 people filled Division Street to watch the fundraising students break one board for every $5 he or she raised at the first-ever Somerville Martial Arts Student Break-a-Thon.

 “We want to help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which provides treatment for children with cancer at no cost to the family, be successful in its efforts to help children fight cancer,” says Freeman. “It was an amazing effort, and the students went way beyond expectations, raising money for this great cause.”