Charity boxathon raises money for a good cause
A charity boxathon held Sunday at the Grant Brothers gym in Dorval raised more than $2,600.
Organizer Lucia Larcinese was pleased with final fundraising tally of $2,635, which will be split and given to Otis Grant and Friends Foundation and CARE Jeunesse.
“We did well,” said Larcinese, who recently retired as a boxer. “We almost hit $3,000.”
This was the third edition of the boxathon, which Larcinese says is all about “giving back to the community.”
As well as supporting the Otis Grant and Friends Foundation, Larcinese also wanted to help out CARE Jeunesse, a non-profit organization that helps youth in care.
Larcinese said CARE Jeunesse holds special meaning for her as she was placed in group homes and foster care as a child.
“I too was a system kid till I aged out at 18,” she said. “And I was left with the anxieties of the unknown. Today, with the help of CARE, they help these kids, to find resources and help them be independent.
“So I wanted to create awareness of something close to my heart, which were these kids in the system.
“I’m trying to help kids stay in school and give them resources and counselling. Only two per cent of ‘system kids’ make it and graduate with a degree.”
Larcinese, 45, has accepted a position in the Canadian Armed Forces and has recently retired from her boxing career. She is also a licensed practical nurse and has been selected for a medical technician position. The Notre-Damede-Grâce resident begins army training later this month.
Larcinese considers herself fortunate.
“I went into the (foster care) system but I had good social workers and counsellors who believed in me. I developed some street smarts that I brought into boxing.”
“But I also wanted to go back into nursing because I like helping people. For me, boxing is easy and training is easy but I wanted to make a difference and feel good about what I was doing. I wanted to be more productive and be more in a career, because boxing only gets you so far.”
Boxathon participants paid $20 each to box and fitness train for an hour at the gym.
Door raffles and sponsors also raised money for a good cause. Joe Mercuri of Mercuri Montreal Restaurant graciously provided a pasta meal to all participants.
“Otis is great to lend his time and use his gym for this fundraiser,” Larcinese added.
“This whole effort is a good way to give back to the community.”