AYO!
Jonny Grayston here, notorious loudmouth booze-slinger and
semi-retired DJ veteran of such venerable nights as East Van Soul
Club and The Boss Takeover. I'm finally putting my money (hopefully
your money, really) where my mouth is and have signed up for The
Restaurant Rumble!
The Cause
Eastside Boxing Club (ESB) is a not-for-profit gym that offers community outreach programs for at-risk youth and women that have been exposed to violence in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Partnering with several different community organizations and agencies, ESB has been able to introduce 67 at-risk youth and children to the sport of boxing in a supportive environment where they have access to nutritious food, medical assessments and one-on-one support from social workers.
All of this is financially possible through the fundraising efforts
of the Aprons for Gloves Boxing Association (AFGBA).
The AFGBA puts on events such as Restaurant Rumble, an annual
fundraising event to help support ESB and their community initiatives.
Why do I want to do this?
There are a few reasons.
Politically/Ethically? Programs like those offered at Eastside are
essential in a city where services for the marginalised are being cut
left and right, and I know first-hand what it's like to be at-risk
youth in East Vancouver. I know these coaches and am honestly envious
that these youth get to have them in their lives at this crucial time.
Personally? 2015 was a tough one, where a lot of really big
things in my life ended, and I'm not gonna lie - since then I've been
lost and spiralling, 38 years old, 200 pounds, looking for something
to care about, something to believe in, something to make me feel
relevant again. The best I've felt in the last bunch of years? Hands
wrapped, drenched in sweat, hammering it out in a boxing gym. So I've
committed everything I have to this, cutting out not only alcohol but
meat and dairy for the duration of training, not just to get down to
fighting weight but to prove to myself I can do it, that I am not a
slave to my compulsions.
My Goal
In order to complete my three months of training and become a potential contender to fight in the 2016 Restaurant Rumble, I need to meet the following fundraising targets:
- $500 by June 1
- $1,500 by July 6
- $2,000 by July 22
If I can do this, and survive training, I could very well make it to the Restaurant Rumble, and fight at The Commodore on July 27th, so please help me raise my goal and know that your donations will be going to a legit worthwhile cause.
Founded in 2012, Aprons for Gloves Boxing Association is a non-profit organization focused on providing community outreach through the sport of boxing. Based in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the organization was developed by a small group of professionals and entrepreneurs who seized an opportunity to re-establish a historic boxing program for at-risk women and youth. The program offers free mentorship and training to individuals who may otherwise not have the resources or support to participate in such activities. The sport of boxing teaches discipline, respect, hard work and self-control. Training results in positive self-esteem, good health and camaraderie for its practitioners.
Restaurant Rumble 2016
Every year bartenders, chefs, dishwaters, servers, baristas and all sorts of individuals from the Gastown community get together to train at the Eastside Boxing Club to fight in Restaurant Rumble.
In order to attend training, each fighter is required to raise $2000 for charity before they can compete at the Rumble.
Check out the promo video from 2014
This year, the event will be held Wednesday, July 27 at the Commodore Ballroom. If you make a contribution or Follow this campaign, you'll be first to hear when tickets go on sale. And you will have a chance to see your friend get beat up, live, in person.
