| CINCINNATI – Three-time Olympic boxer Rau’shee Warren is partnering with local non-profit organization Valley Interfaith Food & Clothing Center to assist those most in need in the community through their Christmas Food Basket program. Warren has decided to autograph and auction online the pair of boxing gloves he used throughout training camp for his most recent fight Friday in Chicago, and donate the proceeds to provide food baskets to as many families as possible.
The food baskets allow families to share a traditional Christmas meal and include a few basics for the winter break from school for children. Among the items provided are turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, bread, margarine, canned vegetables, and cookies.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the online auction will go to VIFCC. The online auction will take place through eBay’s Giving Works website at ebay.com. The auction is currently live and will run until Sunday at 11 a.m. ET (8 a.m. PT).
“I’ve had the opportunity to travel around the world and accomplish many things through the sport of boxing, but Cincinnati is my home,” Warren says. “Now boxing is giving me the opportunity to give back to my home and help make life a little bit better for all of us.”
One of the most decorated amateur boxers in U.S. history, Warren was the first American boxer to compete in three Olympic games. He turned professional after the 2012 London games, and is now 12-0 (3 knockouts).
Warren is a graduate of Harmony Community School and grew up in the English Woods community of Cincinnati.
He began boxing at the age of eight and has grown under the tutelage of nationally renown and respected trainer Mike Stafford.
“This is a good opportunity for Rau’shee to be connected to his fans and his hometown community for the holidays,” Stafford says. “This is the time of year about giving back to those that support you all year and even to those that may never have heard of you.”
Warren also plans to be present Thursday at Landmark Church (1600 Glendale Milford Road), where VIFCC will be giving out dinners and gifts for children to more than 200 families starting at 9 a.m.
For more information on Valley Interfaith Food & Clothing Center and their Christmas Food Basket Program visit www.vifcc.org.
By Santana Strategies
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About Rau’shee Warren
Rau’shee “Baby Pit” Warren is a professional boxer from Cincinnati competing in the bantamweight division. One of the most decorated amateur boxers in U.S. history, Warren was the 2007 World Amateur Champion in the flyweight division and is the first and only American boxer to compete in three Olympic games (2004, 2008, 2012). Warren is 12-0 with three knockouts as a pro.
About Valley Interfaith Food & Clothing Center
Valley Interfaith Food & Clothing Center is the preeminent volunteer organization in the upper Millcreek Valley, dedicated to helping the less fortunate in our thirteen-community area. VIFCC began in 1963 with a few volunteers from two Wyoming churches. Today, we are sponsored by 30 area congregations, serve 13 local communities, and have a cadre of 100+ volunteers. Our mission is to assist our neighbors in need with food, clothing, emergency financial assistance and other necessary services by linking willing and able clients with resources that will help them break their cycle of dependency, and provide them with a new beginning. |
