The Dungeon Boxing Club of Rockingham recently took a turn at making a difference in the lives of Richmond County’s homeless community by serving them lunch at the Baker House on Hancock Street in Rockingham.
The boxers and coaches served pizzas donated by Pizza Hut of Rockingham, along with drinks and dessert to more than 30 of the county’s “less fortunate.”
Coach Mario Olivera arranged for the club to visit the shelter. The event gave the young boxers a chance to give back to the community by volunteering their time to help. He aimed for the kids to give more than a generic gift from a store. Olivera not only strengthens their bodies in the gym but wants to strengthen their sense of community as well, as they see firsthand how important it is to help the less fortunate and not take for granted the basic benefits of daily life, such as food and warm place to sleep.
“I love all my kids and try to set a good example for them,” said Olivera. “I won’t be here forever, and when that day comes I want someone to pick up where I left off.”
Paul Murphy World Title Champion Jamell Brown, 16, of Hamlet, along with National Female Champion Brittany Winburn, 16, of Hamlet, helped represent the cause by bringing their championship belts to share with the men, women and children eating lunch at the Baker House.
“It was good to meet all the different people,” said Jamell. “It felt good to serve them during the Christmas season.”
After helping serve the lunch, Jamell and Brittany want to encourage everyone in Richmond County to give at least one day out of the year to serve a meal at the shelter.
“It was very humbling and made me realize how lucky I am because there were little kids there,” said Brittany. “It made me realize how I sometimes take the simple things for granted.”
Also helping the Dungeon Boxing Club were Coach Jim Watts and Chad O’Neal, Kay Watts, Kayla Ard and Nancy Perkins.
— Staff Writer Cassidy Odom can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 16, or by email at codom@heartlandpublications.com.
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