07/14/2026
Osu, TAMA Family!
I want to express how incredibly fortunate and grateful I am to have each and every one of you in my life and as part of our Martial Arts Family.
A dojo is so much more than a walls, mats and equipment, It is made up of its students, their families and friends, the culture created by the instructors and the love and dedication they put into building it.
I have said many times before, and I want to go on the record and say it once again: Our dojo is truly one of a kind. Every day, something happens that reminds me of just how special our TAMA Family is. Sometimes it is a simple but priceless moment; other times, it is something big, eye-opening, inspiring, and unforgettable.
Thanks to the suggestion and introduction of Cara Plotnick, one of our amazing former students, we have been fortunate to participate in the Annual Women’s Distance Festival 5K Run/Walk since 2018. Every year since then, our TAMA Family has brought together a team of strong, kind, and extraordinary women who are proud to support the Center for Safety & Change and the life-changing work they do for women and their children through this very special event.
And, just as you do every year, YOU LADIES earned the Team Spirit Award once again! This says so much about the kindness, generosity, and compassion in your hearts.
Seeing all the love at Rockland Lake yesterday, watching everyone greet, support, encourage, and celebrate one another, was truly priceless.
A very big thank-you to everyone who joined our team, made a donation, encouraged others to participate, or supported this meaningful event in any other way. Your generosity helps make a real difference in so many lives.
Thank you as well to our TAMA instructors, who selflessly come together every year to help make this happen, and to the event organizers, Lauren Carlucci and Amy Graboski for the tremendous amount of work, dedication, and love you put into creating such a powerful event. You are all amazing.
Once again, thank you to every one of you for contributing and choosing to be part of this great cause.
Let’s continue making a difference. In the end, this is what we get to take with us.
With love,
– Shihan Harnett ❤️