When Dr. Tae Yun Kim was a small girl, she faced poverty, neglect, war, famine and discrimination. Her life was hard, but she survived and persevered to move on to great success as an adult. Even though she has achieved this remarkable success, she never forgets where she came from. Dr. Tae Yun Kim knows how important it is for people in crisis to lean on their stronger, more successful friends and neighbors. Now that she is considered a success, she does all she can to provide that help.
For example, Jung Su Won, Dr. Tae Yun Kim’s martial arts academy, recently held a large Toys for Tots fundraiser. Even though the economy is tough and people are struggling to find and keep jobs, Dr. Tae Yun Kim sought to inspire her members to give what they could to help others who may face even more severe hardship. This toy drive was incredibly successful, collecting over 1,000 toys for children in the community. The van that came to collect the toys was packed to the rafters with the generosity of Dr. Tae Yun Kim and her students.
Dr. Tae Yun Kim has also provided a significant amount of help to charities in the past. When Hurricane Katrina hit, for example, she personally collected funds to help the survivors. She couldn’t face the idea of families struggling when she had the ability to help. She’s done the same for a variety of other organizations, including:
- Safe House for Women and Children
- Women’s Battered Shelter
- Special Olympics
- Boy Scouts of America
- Girl Scouts of America
- San Jose Family Shelter
- United Way
Dr. Tae Yun Kim does her part to help her community. Perhaps, by following her example, more people will be inspired to do the same.
In 2011, Dr. Tae Yun Kim started her own foundation called, The TYK Foundation – a non-profit 503-C organization ( see www.tykfoundation.org ). The first fund raising event was held on July 9th, 2011, in the Santa Clara Convention Center. Dr. Tae Yun Kim put on a special Legendary Master”s Martial Arts Event and donated the proceeds to the “Save the Children” fund.