Sag Harbor - Sensei Michelle Del Giorno and the children's karate students at Epic Martial Arts-EAST are participating in a campaign called "Push-Ups For Pennies." This is an ongoing charity event to raise awareness and donations to St. Jude's Research Children's Hospital in memory of Alex Koehne, a young Sag Harbor resident who passed away from cancer in March 2007. Alex's family has created the foundation called 'Alex's Promise' in his loving memory.

Sensei Michelle and her students are performing one push-up for every one-penny donated. On Thanksgiving Day, the students at Epic Martial Arts-EAST followed Sensei Michelle on YouTube via: www.epicmartialarts-east.blogspot.com as she completed 1,000 push-ups. On Christmas Day and on New Year's Day, Sensei Michelle and her students will once again complete 1,000 push-ups!

The mission of Alex's Promise Foundation is to completely ensure that Alex's dream of helping young people comes true. As a tribute to his life, this foundation has been created so that his passing may serve as a catalyst to benefit other young persons at critical times in their lives.

"This project is an example of how the children in our community can make a difference by participating in acts of kindness," said Sensei Michelle. "We are teaching our young children that they can be leaders in our community and that every penny counts in making donations to children's cancer research."

Sensei Michelle conducts children's karate classes for ages three and up and self-defense, martial arts and kickboxing classes for teens and adults. The students at Epic Martial Arts-EAST regularly participate in community service activities as part of their black belt training.

For more information or to donate click below, or call 631-725-5425. Donations for the "Push-Ups For Pennies" campaign can also be made in person at Epic Martial Arts-EAST, 75 Main Street in Sag Harbor or addressed to Alex's Promise, P.O. Box 3319 Sag Harbor, NY 11963.