Happening Kid: Chase

Pictured above is Chase at his renewal interview with PAS’s founders Gene and Michele Rice

This month, July 2016, the non-profit charity Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream introduced its 600th scholarship recipient, Chase.

The Plant a Seed Inspire a Dream Foundation (PAS) has been granting renewable, 1-year scholarships to children in the greater Bucks County area for over 8 years. The charity works with local youth between the ages of 10 and 18 who are unable to pursue their passions or participate in extracurricular activities due to financial challenges.

Chase, like many PAS kids, comes from a single parent home. Chase had to adjust drastically as a young teen when his mother began struggling to support her family. They moved from a comfortable home into an apartment, resulting in a change of schools where Chase was bullied. The stress of these changes caused medical issues which further complicated his situation.

Chase came to PAS in 2015, writing in his scholarship application, “With the kids at school at times laughing at me, I want to have an outlet and I would really like to join MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Not that I want to hurt anyone, but I want to have self esteem.” Chase wanted to practice MMA to grow as person and also an athlete; he received a year of lessons and mentorship with MPR Endurance MMA in Langhorne, PA.

15-year-old Chase has just received a renewed scholarship for another year of MMA. The charity was able to see his growth, enthusiasm, and respect for the opportunity. MMA has allowed Chase to flourish both in practice and at school.

In his renewal application, Chase’s mother explained, “PAS has been a lifesaver for Chase. He is more confident. … I no more have to worry about him getting in with the wrong crowd.” She further explained that though Chase has no father, the mentors at MPR MMA, especially owner and instructor Erik Purcell, give him the male guidance he needs. “They are always encouraging Chase with high-fives and check-ins,” she explains.

Chase can walk into school confident and has MMA class to look forward to now. To learn more about Plant a Seed scholarship recipients and how you can help, visit the charity’s website at https://plantaseedfoundation.org/.