Communities in Schools of Renton has raised more than $15,000 for Renton students in a martial arts Break-a-Thon.

The event took place at Renton River Days’ Kids Day celebration where 78 kids broke a total of 2,606 boards with their kicks and strikes.

Students and families from Exceed Martial Arts, Kim’s Tae Kwon Do, Ms. Mari’s Martial Arts Club and Lee’s Martial Arts combined for the effort. Students got pledges for two months in preparation for the event and McLendon Hardware donated most of the 1,500 linear feet of wood.

Parents of the students then cut the wood into different sizes. The students who broke the most boards in each division were given a trophy by Exceed Martial Arts.

“We are overwhelmed with the generosity of the martial arts community in Renton,” said Sue Paro, executive director, Communities In Schools of Renton in a release. “It is incredible to think that these 78 kids worked this hard to help other kids have a better chance of success in school. The $15,000 they presented to CISR will be used to provide mentors, basic need resources, and school supplies for kids in need.”

For more information visit www.breakathon2011.org and www.renton.ciswa.org.