Dear friends, family, and lovely internet strangers
My name is Kari and I am a social justice warrior/gym nut who
also happens to be a chef. It is finally time for me to crush a
personal goal that I have wanted to take on for years, by competing in
this year's Aprons for Gloves' Restaurant Rumble.
Eastside Boxing Club trains contenders (mostly from the
service/hospitality industry) for three intense months, then hosts an
amazing fight night that can be watched across the world. Through its
contenders and sponsors, Aprons for Gloves raises funds for Eastside
Boxing Club (a non-profit organization), not only to run as a gym, but
to help those in need.
Eastside Boxing partners with newStart, Rainier Women's
Supportive Housing, and NICCSS' Vancouver Roving Leaders Program to
build fitness and confidence through classes, and provide support for
women who have experienced violence and abuse, battled addicition and
mental illness, and connect with and mentor at-risk youth. These are
causes that are near and dear to my heart, and as a group, they are
doing unbelievable work that is effectively transforming and saving
lives, so the more hands that join in, the better.
To be eligible for a fight, every contender must stay committed
to the grueling physical training until the very end, and meet a
fundraising goal of $2000. I truly believe that the story of a hero
beats inside the heart of every person, if they find the courage to
begin writing it. I need your help to unlock this chapter of my life,
please, for the reasons above, and to start a positively badass campaign.
I want to encourage all of the other nerds out there, anybody
who struggles to believe the goodness that others see in them, anybody
who was told that they couldn't or shouldn't do something because
they're a girl, and anybody who looks in the mirror and doesn't like
what they see because the media's beauty standards look like somebody
else. You might be one of these people, or, if you're like me, you
might be all of these people.
The world can always benefit from unconventional heroes and role
models to change the game and inspire others to find that light within
themselves, the things that make us feel empowered and alive, and
capable of doing great things. I need to get out there, in the hopes
that one day you might be able to, as well. Watch the video above
(about the cause), and see what this is all for.
Please donate if you can, and share my story (and those of other
contenders) with your friends. Any help would mean so much, not only
to myself, but especially to those who need it more.
Thank you dearly
Kari Chellouf
