Taking a kick for the Kids

Bob White had no idea that a simple, routine favor would give him such a different perspective. But he’s glad it did ? and so is the Newport-Mesa chapter of Royal Family Kids’ Camp.

On Saturday, White’s Kenpo Karate School in Costa Mesa will host its inaugural Bob White Invitational, with all proceeds going to the Santa Ana-based nonprofit organization that holds summer camps for abused, neglected and abandoned children.

Although White’s school has been around for more than 25 years and has hosted its share of tournaments, this will be the first one that will send 100% of its profit to an organization.

White’s interest was sparked three years ago when one of his students asked if he would perform a demonstration at a camp sponsored by Royal Family Kids’ Camp. When he arrived at Lake Arrowhead, he saw the weary, unsure faces of children who had been taken away from their parents because of physical, sexual or emotional abuse. White said he knew he couldn’t just walk away and forget.

“I was hooked at that point,” he said.

He spoke to them about how karate is more than just fighting. He explained how martial arts are about gaining confidence and the ability to walk away from trouble.

And that’s when he realized what the kids needed ? confidence. He figured that any way he could bring it out, he was on board.

“These kids are so vulnerable. A lot of them don’t even know when their own birthday is,” White said. “But when they’re kept busy at the camp with arts, crafts, entertainment and athletics, they’re having the time of their lives. You can see it in their faces.”

So White and his instructors began organizing the tournament that will aid in the Royal Family’s mission.

The invitational will feature 46 different divisions. The children (ages 7-11) will be divided by age and belt color. Competitors can choose which area they will compete in: forms, which is based purely on the athlete’s style and form; sparring, which is two individuals fighting until one person scores five points; or team sparring, where teams compete for two minutes.

Thirteen karate studios from around Southern California have confirmed their participation in Saturday’s tournament.

The idea has reached beyond the school’s Victoria Street studio into the Newport-Mesa community, where White and his instructors have seen an explosion in a desire to help the children. Whether it be the donation of fruit, water bottles, money or time, White said people are taking notice.

“When somebody likes to do good things and they like to help people, it gets contagious,” White said. “I had no idea we’d have this type of support. There’s a lot of goodwill in this community.”

But don’t tell the kids that.

White said his studio likes to follow the advice of former UCLA men’s basketball coach John Wooden. After all, White loved his philosophies so much there’s a picture of Wooden hanging in the blue-matted studio.

“The best thing is to do something good and not even let them know,” said White. “That’s what John Wooden said.”

Even though White gives the credit for his good deed philosophies to Wooden, instructors at the studio know there’s no one behind White’s good nature but White himself.

They know it’s no accident that the tournament has generated such a positive reaction so quickly.

Vishal Shukla, an instructor helping coordinate the tournament, said that White has earned respect. People have noticed and now they’re returning the favor.

But White said that it’s all for the kids, who White feels deserve much more than they have seen in their young lives.

“We want to do a much of a service as we can for these kids,” White said. “This will all go to a really good cause.” dpt.23-karate-1-CPhotoInfoPQ1P7RB120060323iwk8ewknMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Pule Moaliitele, left, gets ready to push a pad being held by instructor Barbara White, right, a third degree lack belt, as Bob White, center, watches during class on Friday night at Bob White’s Kenpo Karate in Costa Mesa. dpt.23-karate-2-CPhotoInfoPQ1P7RBO20060323iwk8fcknMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Raymond DeAngelo, left, kicks a pad being held by instructor Virgil Bartolomucci, right, during a Friday evening class.