1 March 2001

The Kodokan Judo Institute, in Tokyo Japan, occupies one city block and is seven stories tall. To help pay administrative costs and other expenses, judoka from around the world send money to the Kodokan. It's what they do to honor and respect judo.

Here in America, the United States Judo Association, like the Kodokan, has expenses that need to be met. We, the members of the USJA, are the lifeline of our organization.

When I was a teenager, judo helped keep me out of trouble. As an adult, judo allows me to pass on my experiences so that other kids have the ability to stay out of trouble. I love judo because I can get on the mat, rumble around and feel good about life. Since 1993, I've been a thousand dollar a year donor to the USJA. I am not a rich man but I make sure my budget includes my annual donation to the USJA.

It's what I do to honor and respect judo.

The USJA has continuing expenses and I emphasize that "we" are absolutely essential for maintaining our organization. It would make the USJA's job a lot easier if a stable source of income was available to pay the bills.

Beginning now, instead of one annual contribution to the United States Judo Association, I'm going to make an automatic monthly donation. Every month, one hundred dollars will be charged to my credit card and sent to the USJA. It's automatic, so I won't have to think about it and the USJA can count on it being there.

Please join me in making a monthly contribution to the USJA.

I challenge every black belt to give one hundred dollars a month; brown belts to give fifty to seventy five dollars a month; green, orange, yellow and white belts to give twenty five dollars a month.

If you can give more, great; if you cannot afford the challenge please give what you can.

If the Kodokan Judo Institute is kept alive and financially sound with the support of people from around the world, then you, as an American judo player, will be proud to keep the United States Judo Association up and running with your monthly contribution. Fill out the enclosed Donation Form and return it to the USJA today!

Thanks for your support,

Andrew Connelly, Coach
School of Hard Knocks (TX-019)
Spring, Texas

PS: Don't forget, your donation is considered a
      charitable contribution for income tax purposes.