Hello Everyone. This is an appeal to help.
Those that know me, know that I had an uncle who started a gym in 1988.
My Uncle, former Golden Gloves champion Stanley Garcia opened the East Oakland Boxing Association in 1987 in the heart of East Oakland because he believed that boxing had taught him valuable life skills and saved him from the violent streets. He saw it as a way to reach at-risk youngsters.
4 days ago - for the first time in 20 years - thieves broke in and wiped them clean of all of their athletic equipment AND all of the after school programs computers and learning tools.
Here is the article on the theft:
The EOBA/ SmartMoves Program is a non-profit, community-based organization that has been providing education, enrichment, and health programs for children and youth since 1987. Built on the foundation that youth need a caring environment to become vibrant adults, the EOBA focuses on providing programs that are engaging and fun for youth ages 5-20. The program has further expanded to teach job skills, water conservation, tree planting, harvesting vegetables and cooking. The organization distributes free food to 200 families in need every month.
More than 30,000 youths have gone through the SmartMoves boxing program since the gym opened in 1987 and 100 students plan to go through the summer program, which begins June 25.
This is a devastating blow to the program and the gym and could force closure leaving countless children to the streets.
I would like to ask the community for assistance via making a donation to assist the program. If you would like to help out - please send a donation payable to EAST OAKLAND BOXING ASSOC. and send it to:
4809 Mancini Drive, Castro Valley, CA
We am also looking for volunteers to assist with the BOXING PROGRAM as well as Trainers, Coaches, Tudors, Teachers, Mentors, etc.
Note the East Oakland Boxing Assoc. Web Site: http://www.eoba.org/
For more information or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Catalina Garcia-Quick @ sales@rtfabrication.com or by phone at (510) 246-2440
