Aprons for Gloves Boxing Association is an organization that was founded in 2012 by a group of individuals from various service industry professions, most of whom live and work in the Gastown/Downtown Eastside area. A few of our founding members had begun boxing as a way to relieve stress and keep fit. What they discovered at the local downtown east-side gym, was far more powerful and special than just stress relief and physical fitness.

There were so many incredibly courageous young kids that relied on the mentorship of the coaches to guide them through life, even outside of the ring. When it was brought to our attention that the gym was in danger of closing, we felt that we had to do something to help. The gym has since been closed, leaving these kids (many of which are troubled youth) without a place to go that offers a positive environment and instills good moral values and work ethic. It was with this in mind that the Restaurant Rumble fundraiser was born!

Proceeds from this year's event will go towards buying equipment and covering the continuing costs of building the new Eastside Boxing Club for Coach Dave Schuck's non-profit boxing program. The club has finally found a home above Woodland Smokehouse near Commercial Drive and Pender. The next few months will be spent working through the proper procedures with the city of Vancouver and buying and accumulating the necessary equipment in preparation for its official opening day. In the future, the funds will go toward rent and regular maintenance of the gym, as well as travel expenses and accommodations. This will allow kids the opportunity to participate in national and international tournaments, regardless of their personal financial situation. As the fundraising efforts grow, we will begin looking at further programs and ways we can help in our local area. Eastside Boxing is also planning programs for battered women in addition to the youth programs it will offer.