Jiu-Jitsu to host self defense seminar fundraiser

BONNERS FERRY — Bonners Ferry Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is going to be hosting free seminars to help raise money for Jacy Zabel’s kids.

“The whole family, including the four kids left behind were all members of our school at one point. In an effort to help raise money for the kids, we put these seminars together,” said Sam Brown.

June 15 from 6 to 8 p.m., they will be hosting a suicide survivors seminar. It is an open invitation for anyone who has been affected by suicide to attend, and it will be led by Mark Belden.

“Mark Belden is a teammate and friend who has offered to come over here from Montana and help in any way he can during the fundraiser,” said Brown.

Belden has served 21 years of service in the Army Special Forces (Green Berets), went through multiple combat tours and has been wounded in combat numerous times. He’s one of five original Special Operations Combatives Program (SOCP) Instructors, and has used hand to hand combat in several situations in Afghanistan, Iraq and different African countries. He has also been doing Kyokushin Karate and Muay Thai for 34 years.

Belden will also be instructing a free striking for self-defense seminar on June 16 from 10 a.m. to noon.

From 1 to 3 p.m. on June 16, Sam Brown will be leading a Jiu-Jitsu seminar.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to host Belden at our school and I hope to see a great turnout,” said Brown.

All three events are free, members and non-members are welcome, and no experience is necessary. BFBJJ only ask that attendees make a donation to the GoFundMe link prior to coming or leave one at the school and they will take care of it. The link to the fundraising page is https://www.gofundme.com/jaclynzabel.