Save Bend Boxing Club

Bend Boxing club is a nonprofit dedicated to making great boxers and better human beings, However, this remarkable and irreplaceable boxing gym needs our help!! In order to continue providing a healthy outlet for kids and young adults to develop valuable skills and character traits, the gym needs to raise $8,000 to cover the costs of a rezoning permit from the city, gym expenses, and the annual registration with USA Boxing.

 

 

This non-profit organization is the only public boxing gym in Central Oregon offering students of all ages and experience to improve their health, discipline, and confidence through the sport. As we all know, many athletic opportunities have suffered due to the COVID pandemic which has created a void in activities for our youth’s insatiable energy. Founder, Rod Smith, opened the gym in February 2021 as a way to bring this community together through boxing.

As a former professional boxer with fights against notable champions James Tillis and Tyrel Biggs, Rod Smith is a unique mentor for all who train in his gym. He is of Cherokee Native American descent. When Rod was 18 years of age, he joined the Navy to serve his country. The Navy is where picked up the sport of boxing. He went on to enjoy a professional boxing career, where he was renowned for putting on sensationally entertaining fights. After Rod’s career unfolded following his service, he discovered coaching and that teaching boxing is his passion.

 

 

Since opening in February, Rod has pulled together a team of volunteers and dedicated students, some who competed in their first amateur fights last November. Rod and his team have an organized long-term plan for the gym’s success and have invested their personal income along with their time to support the launch of this gym. Bend Boxing Club is currently in discussion with Band of Brothers and High Desert Middle School about offering special programs for Veterans and scholarships for students who are unable to afford a gym membership.  

 

 

 However, they need help with these immediate financial demands in order to continue providing for the students while they work to build community relationships and support and are grateful for any kind of support you are willing to invest.

 

Here is a testimony of one of gym members on how much the Bend Boxing Club has impacted his life:

 

"My name is Steven Sheehy, I am 21 years old and I credit my newfound mental strength, confidence and work ethic to the time I’ve spent learning this sport here. This place has become a sanctuary for me at times in my life, and has just made me a better person. I've seen so many people grow here in powerful ways and I just think this place brings the best out of people."

 

Please help this gym continue to grow in our community with your support. I encourage you to follow their progress as Rod and his dedicated team of volunteers work to make Bend Boxing Club one of the healthy long-term opportunities for our community.

With thankful regards,

Bend Boxing Club