Please donate gis and cash to Moldova's oldest BJJ team!!!

Hi Everyone from Bobby McMasters!

My organization, Pride Moldova is currently running a gi drive to help benefit Team Burlacu BJJ, Moldova's oldest BJJ team. If you happen to have a new or used gi that is still in good shape (i.e. still has 2-3 years left in it with no rips or thin material) please think about donating it! In 2011 the gi drive was a great success.  We can really help this small community grow if we do it again!  The gis can be sent directly to the beneficiaries (which is more optimal for us) or if you don't have the postage you can send them to me. Here are the addresses, respectively:

Birlea Alexandru
s. Burlacu, r. Cahul
Republica Moldova

Activities Department
c/o Tip O' Texas RV Resort
101 Sioux Rd
Pharr, TX 78577

I know what you're thinking: "That first address is crazy. It doesn't even have a street name or number or zip code!" Trust me, I've received literally dozens of packages of BJJ material at that address without any issues. It is a small village in the middle of nowhere so they don't have street names. But, again, if you are unable to or uncomfortable sending your donated gi to that address, go ahead and send it to the second one.

Here's a little background on the team: Burlacu BJJ was started in 2006. Burlacu BJJ's current head instructor, Alexandru Birlea, was only 16 at the time, but has stepped up and has carried the team ever since. Alexandru is an avid competitor and currently holds the rank of purple belt under Tudor Mihaita of Bucharest, Romania. Alexandru also puts on Moldova's longest-running tournament, the "Burlacu Open" as well as the "Moldova Cup," both of which are held annually. Since 2006, Team Burlacu has recently expanded to include a developing gym in nearby Cahul, Moldova (pictured, posing with 2.5 gis!). Burlacu BJJ was featured in the short documentary, "Uncharted Territory: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the Republic of Moldova".




If you'd like to help out but don't have a spare gi, we could always use some extra cash to help pay for postage and to go toward various other initiatives we have coming up. All you have to do is go to our website, pridemoldovabjj.webs.com and click the donate button! 100% of proceeds go directly to benefiting the fighters since we are a 100% volunteer-run organization.

Please reach out and help however you are able!  And contact Georgette at georgettejitsu (at) gmail.com if you'd like a poster to hang at your academy to help promote this gi drive!