Dear Family and Friends,

I am partnering with the Capoeira Arts Foundation and raising money for 2018 Capoeira Arts Foundation Roda-thon. Capoeira has been the connective tissue of my life for over twenty years. Capoeira has simply brought good things to my life. Through Capoeira I met the father of my four children. Gabriel, now almost age 16, Kieran, age 12, Emilio, age 11 and Gisele, age 7, all have been raised in the Capoeira community learning to how to ginga alongside learning to walk. I have met lifelong friends through Capoeira and for over a decade I have had the amazing opportunity to help launch, develop and teach many young Capoeiristas in the Pre-Capoeira program in which all of my four children participated and thrived. I regularly look forward to coming to the kids class each Saturday along with my daughter, Gisele.

My children continued to develop as Capoeiristas through the UCA youth program and even though they have become very involved in competitive sports over time, there is NOTHING that quite compares to their connection with the Capoeira community with its multigenerational involvement and the opportunity within this unique Brazilian art form to learn the music of Capoeira with its own blend of acrobatics, dance, and martial arts. Whether it has been days or years, when I run into a Capoeirista, I feel that they are my people.

I sincerely appreciate your support for this fundraiser and my goal. You can donate now and by hitting “Give Now” on the upper right. You can give with any major credit card and it only takes 30 seconds. I appreciate it so very much.

Thank you for joining me!