Aidan Oiknine 

Congregation B’nai Amoona

Aidan has been a martial arts student for six years and achieved his first degree black belt in taekwondo. Son of Rachel and Ralph Oiknine of Ladue, Aidan strongly believes that martial arts can help people become stronger, both mentally and physically. He was attracted by the prospect of having a positive impact on a child’s health using martial arts.

Kids Kicking Cancer was the organization Aidan supported for his mitzvah project. It provides weekly classes for children, both inpatient and outpatient, in the mind-body techniques found in the martial arts. Its mission is to ease the pain of very sick children while empowering them to heal physically, spiritually and emotionally.

“I feel very strongly about this organization,” said Aidan. “The money raised will help the mission of alleviating a child’s pain, due to cancer related treatment.” 

Aidan created a web page to publicize his project. It states: “This organization teaches sick children martial arts techniques to help them control their pain and fear during medical exams and treatments. Kids Kicking Cancer strives to teach children ‘Peace, Power, Purpose’ and I am selling motivational bracelets with their motto to raise awareness and funding for their organization.”

The bracelets sold for $2 each and Aidan sold close to 300. Not only did friends and family purchase one or more bracelets, but they made a donation as well. With a goal of raising $1,000, Aidan’s project was very successful; he raised over $1,100. 

A student at Ladue Middle School, Aidan said that although he doesn’t take martial arts classes any longer, the values he learned, such as mental strength and respect towards elders and teachers, have always stayed with him.