Matteson Kempo Karate to hold Open House

My name is Bill Matteson and I am 44 years old and live in Dunkirk. I have a wife Shannon and four kids named Sean, Justin, Dylan and Kennedy who are all Black belts also and soon to be a proud father again to a baby boy.

On Saturday, March 28, we will be holding our 10-year anniversary Open House from 9:30 to noon at 323 Central Ave., Dunkirk. Proceeds will help benefit the Brooks Memorial Hospital Cancer Unit. I am donating 50 percent of new members' proceeds to Brooks Hospital Cancer Unit. Donations can be made to Matteson Kempo Karate c/o Brooks Hospital Cancer Unit 323 Central Ave. Dunkirk, N.Y., 14048. Refreshments will be served thanks to our sponsors at Subway, McDonald's and Tim Hortons.

We have been in the karate business for 10 years serving our community in educating students of all ages the true meaning behind the ancient history of Kempo Karate. The purpose from Matteson Kempo Karate to the public is to help people realize that Martial Arts is much more than self-defense and Karate. It is about discipline, control, respect, building confidence and community outreach for good causes such as Roswell Park Cancer Institute, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Brooks Memorial Hospital Cancer Unit, helping underprivileged children and keeping kids off the street by proper guidance on how to have good role models and to choose respectful friends. A child in today's society can and will be easily influenced by peer pressure and by following improper guidance.

We at Matteson Kempo Karate pride our education on helping the student realize their self worth and in helping them realize their actual potential in life skills to assist each and every one of them toward good decisions and judgments in choosing positive peer and other choices they will have to endure by themselves.

I have been involved in the Martial Arts for more than 27 years. I began my training with Kung-Fu, Muay Thai, Grappling, Karate, weapons and Judo training. I run a very successful MMA(mixed martial arts) program which includes Muay Thai, Judo, Grappling, Boxing, Kick Boxing and Jujitsu instructed by Joe Pagan and Dennis Johnson. Martial Arts has been a way of life for me and has been a gateway for me to open new doors to many programs for the youth and adults. I have two karate schools: 7 East Main St., Fredonia and 323 Central Ave., Dunkirk. We currently have more than 170 active full-time students and more than 100 students in the public school systems.

I have created annual functions in my area like "National Martial Arts Day" and "Youth Awareness Day" to educate the public of the true meaning of Martial Arts and to open doors for the youth to participate in such a disciplined sport, yet have fun and feel confident for their achievements. I am also the creator of the Chautauqua County's Youth Recreation programs. We host a radio trivia show "Karate Kix Trivia" on 96 KIX FM weekly and promote a health/wellness program to many corporate offices and public throughout the community. I started a "Foster Care Karate" program through Social Services and teach a " Karate Cardio Bootcamp at the Boys and Girls Club of Dunkirk. I am a partner with the County's largest youth services provider and organization (Chautauqua Opportunities Inc.) teaching the after school program in many Northern and Southern Chautauqua County schools. I am actively involved with many grants which benefit the youth in our community. I provide services to many Senior Centers with Yoga, meditation and exercise. I teach self defense for the woman at the "Cassadaga Job Corp and volunteer time for the Battered Women's Shelter of Jamestown.

My Dojo also is a volunteer for the "Children's Safe House and bring Christmas to them along with food and clothes donated from my karate families and continue to be a huge support to this organization. In 2007, I was nominated the Success-Role Model of the Year from the local Community newspaper. We were voted the Best of the Best Martial Arts facility in Chautauqua County in 2008. I have competed in many tournaments through the years and have achieved two State Titles in the P.K.R.A. and a Grand Championship in the Niagara Falls USA Karate Championship Tournamentin 2000. I was inducted into the New York State Martial Arts Hall of Fame on March 15, 2008 at Niagara University. We have an outstanding Little Dragon's program which I owe all the thanks to my wife Shannon for her commitment, creativity and patience. My sponsors/supporters are the following: McDonald's Restaurant, Tim Hortons and Subway Restaurant, Denny's Restaurant, Chautauqua Opportunities, Boys and Girls Club and the County's youth recreation.

All my success is thanks to life experiences, family, friends, our students and our community for believing in my dreams to assist in a better future for our youth.