Hey everyone! It's Francis here, I work with Earnest Ice Cream as a BOH Supervisor and recently I have been fortunate enough to be a contender in this year's 6th Annual Aprons for Gloves Restaurant Rumble.
What I am raising efforts towards is a non-profit annual boxing event held by East Side Boxing, that funds and hosts an afterschool boxing program for youth who otherwise wouldn't have access to a gym, equipment, or boxing training. Aside from training, nutrition, and fitness, the program will provide mentorship and other discrete lifelong tools such as a boost to confidence, discipline, and a "hard work" ethic! Another thing many may overlook, is that this is an opportunity for some in the program to let loose and escape the hardships and stuggles they may be going through in their lives. This program goes beyond fitness and opens doors that some may have thought were locked.
As someone who has picked up the sport of boxing for just over a year now and started from it's bare bones, I can vouch that boxing is transformative physically and mentally. I have seen myself change so much: breaking down and then building myself up, and creating so many friendships along the way. From practicing only footwork for a week straight, to cracking the bags and sparring with seasoned amateur fighters, looking back on how I was from Day 1 to now really makes me feel proud. This differs from some sports because in the process is very personal. Aside from a supportive crowd, you have no teammates in the ring with you, you bond with your trainer, and it takes literal blood, sweat, and tears from you. In my opinion, it's a great way to build on who you are as a person and really test your limits. Now imagine what this can do for someone who isn't as fortunate as me, struggling without an outlet or for someone who can't quite find a way to express themselves. Through this charity, I ask that you not only help me, but help East Side Boxing's program to open opportunities for the next generation of champs.
During this time, I will be training for a fight on July 27th, 2017! You can catch my updates every now and then on how our progress is doing. If you are unable to donate, thats okay! I just hope my message brings to light this awesome program. I also encourage many of you to try boxing, even just for the fitness. It will definitely be a process many of you will learn from and even more so, will learn beyond the physical aspect of it. Though I appreciate donations, I only ask for whatever you are comfortable donating: "no minimum, no maximum, no pressure". I thank everyone so much for them and for taking the time to check this out! Till then keep up with Vancouver's very own: http://instagram.com/francissediego
Check out AFG down below while you're at it! Maybe give it a shot next year? http://apronsforgloves.com/
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 2017
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 26th 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.
