magazine2013.pdf WBO Convention Magazine | Page 37

K i d s Dru g F ree Africa This year’s donation was divided three fold. On April 8th 2013, equipment was donated to Robertson, Western Cape, a town with a huge drug problem. Andrew Smale, VP for Africa and Mel Cross, WBO Africa Committee member, presented the donation which was received gleefully by the youngsters and management at the gym. Then on May 25th, WBO sponsored a boxing tournament at Eldorado Park, a drug ravaged community of Johannesburg. A ring was rented for the day, with prizes and medallions given to the winners. Photos are still pending from the governor of the tournament, but the event was a big success with the disenfranchised youth of the area. The third activity is scheduled for July 27th, also at Eldorado Park. As the previous activity was so successful, it was decided to sponsor another boxing tournament with the slogan, “Say NO to drugs, YES to boxing”. Andrew is expecting a larger turn out than the previous successful event. Ar g e n t i n a WBO President Valcarcel arrived in Argentina on May 23rd to hold for the 8th consecutive year the successful WBO Kids Drug Free Program in this country. This year the donation went to Dr. Ricardo Gutierrez Children’s Hospital in the city of Buenos Aires. The hospital board gratefully received the cash donation that would alleviate basic needs. A keepsake photo was taken with President Valcarcel and Latin American VP, Jorge Molina. The activity was followed by a luncheon and Omar Narvaez’ bout in the evening. Au s t r a l i a WBO reached out to Gold Coast Australia youth’s Mercy program to distribute supplies to the less fortunate and to make them more aware of saying “no” to drugs. WBO board member, Danny Leigh, coordinated the event together with promoter Stephen Ng and trainer, Chris Carden of No Excuses Boxing Gym. The donation was for the Australia Mercy Immediate Response Unit who find suitable urgent placement for youth just out of juvenile detention or that have just been removed from their families. The center must do this in 12 weeks which is the length of time the youth can stay at the center. These youth are totally disenfranchised who live out of their small suitcase with minimal personal belongings and no place to go. WKDF sponsored bags of basic necessity supplies, a food guidance book and training equipment for these Gold Coast Australia children. WBO 26 Years • 37