Charity
Donation to the Purchase College's Classical Foil & Sabre Tournament, March 19th 2011
In recognition of State University New York (SUNY) Purchase's third annual open classical tournament, Benjamin Arms was pleased to donate two $40 first place gift certificate prizes taken by the first place victors in the sabre and >2 years experience foil brackets.
Donation to the North Coast Big Brothers & Big Sisters' auction, A Taste for Kid's Sake, October 1st 2010
It will be Benjamin Arms' pleasure this October to donate a presentation foil for North Coast Big Brothers and Big Sisters' benefit auction, A Taste for Kid's Sake. North Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non profit organization in Humboldt County pairing youth, who lack regular contact with one or both parents, with an adult mentor for over 40 years. Benjamin Arms will use the opportunity to design and manufacture weapon mounting and/or displaying hardware for the auction.
Donation to the Patri Pugliese Auction @ the International Swordfighting and Martial Arts Convention (ISMAC), September 3rd 2010
The International Swordfighting and Martial Arts Convention is one of the largest western martial arts events in the world. Instructors from all over the world are invited to teach their specialized skills to eager students. It is always a fantastic learning and social environment. For the last three years ISMAC has hosted the Patri Pugliese Memorial Auction to set up a college fund for his two daughters surviving him. Benjamin Arms donated a custom made Scuola Mista foil with a ray skin grip and pad and a brown foil bag. I received this note from one of the event organizers, Jared Kirby:
"Thank you so much for your donation to the Patri Auction at ISMAC 2010. It means a great deal to us, and I’m sure, Patri’s family. Your donation greatly contributed to the funds for Patri’s daughters. This year we raised a total of $1900 towards the girls’ college fund. They carry on in the footsteps of their father with a little of our help, and we are very grateful for your part in this.
Sincerely, Jared Kirby"
Donation to the Redwood Coast Assault of Arms, April 10th 2010
Benjamin Arms was pleased to donate a $75 gift certificate as a first place prize for Humboldt State University's third annual classical fencing tournament, the Redwood Coast Assault of Arms. Our founder participated in the tournament and won first place without receiving a single touch in the finals. He therefore bequeathed his own prize donation to the the second place victor, Manuel Ramirez.
Donation to the Purchase College's Classical Foil Invitational, March 13th 2010
In recognition of State University New York (SUNY) Purchase's second annual open classical foil tournament, Benjamin Arms was pleased to donate two complete French foils as first place prizes for the beginner and advanced brackets. We later received a thank you letter from the club Purchase Fencing Club president, Anthony Wade:
"I know this is long overdue and for that I apologize. Please understand, the delay is no reflection on the esteem and respect I have for you. This semester has been tumultuous in the extreme and unfortunately, I did not manage my time or responsibilities as well as I had planned. I wanted to make sure that you understood that the SUNY Purchase Fencing Program cannot sufficiently articulate how much we appreciate your contributions to the tournament this year.
We are constantly striving to improve, an endless effort with which I know first hand you have also struggled with. Many of our guests (both participants and otherwise) were especially impressed with the quality and meticulous craftsmanship of your pieces. I believe they greatly increased interest in our art and certainly inspired jealousy of our good fortune. In any case, please accept our sincerest and heartfelt thanks. I value your expertise and enthusiasm and ask that you accept this late thank you. I hope to see you again soon, either here in New York or in California, so that I can thank you in person.
Regards,
Anthony Wade, Austin McLaurin, Virginia Smith, Cal Provost-Neimann & Alexander Boucher"
Speaker at South Fork High School's career fair, January 28th 2010
South Fork High School in Miranda California hosted a career fair in partnership with Americorps' program Straight Up Americorps. Benjamin Arms' founder was asked to be a guest speaker and discuss with students the process of starting a small business in Humboldt County and the availability of local business opportunities. Students filled out comments at the end of the lecture and they were overwhelmingly positive:
"He makes f****n swords!"
