Illinois Crime Commision, Police Athletic League and Leo Boxing Presents!
The event will feature an exhibition by Leo Boxing Great and Heavyweight Pro- Heavyweight Contender Thomas Hayes (26 W.; O L.)
This is note from our pal Neil Steinberg of the Chicago Sun Times in this past Sunday's column!
'It's just a huge time'
"A kid goes to a party on a Friday night. We all went to parties. The only difference is this party gets busted. Everybody gets disorderly conduct. Everybody gets underage consumption of alcohol. They get a fine. They lose their license for a year, so they can't drive. And then there is the 'divine mystery' -- three bags of dope show up on the floor, nobody brought them, but somehow they appeared. Obviously God put them there. Divine mystery. So they get charged with possession of narcotics. This goes on the kid's computer record and two years later, when he tries to get a job at Walgreens, it shows up he was charged with disorderly conduct, underage drinking and possession of narcotics."
Jerry Elsner is speaking -- executive director of the Illinois State Crime Commission, director of the Police Athletic League of Illinois and proud product of St. Ethelreda Parish. He is explaining PAL's First Chance Program.
"If a kid goes through our program, goes to school, has 100 percent attendance for six weeks -- even if he has diphtheria, -- at that point the state's attorney will toss charges. They're BS charges anyway. No computer record, no charges, a First Chance."
But programs need money, and to that end, the Police Athletic League, along with the Leo Catholic High School boxing team, is having a benefit this Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the 115 Bourbon Street entertainment complex at 3359 W. 115th Street, Merrionette Park.
I've been to this kind of boxing event, and it's a lot of fun -- don't let all those boxing movies about down-and-out lunks fool you. These boxers are good athletes and good kids. You can both bring your children and buy a beer, there are raffles and giveaways, it's only $10 to get in and it all goes to a good cause. What else do you want out of life?
"It's just a huge time," says Elsner.
Don't Miss the Next Event!!
. Wednesday Night Fights
Wednesday, Feb 21st, 7p.m.
115 Bourbon Street
3359 W. 115th Street Merrionette Park, IL
Fun
Games
Prizes
Get out the word. Invite all your business acquaintance, friends, and family.
Help by volunteering to work the event.
call Jerry, 630-778-9191 with any questions
7 comments:
Doesn't this promote violence and sends a wrong message to our children? Watch out Pat, Rep. Flowers may have a bill in store to protect the children. She did vote for the violent video game law after all, and we all know violence in person is much worse than violence on a computer screen. Children should be banned from such violence and anyone letting them in should be arrested, just like the violent video game law, don't ya think?
Not the 'sweet science,' Jeff my man! You should stop out - first one's on me. Great light and middle-weight bouts.
Good post Pat. I have had the privilege of being on the State Crime Commission board for several years now, and I can attest to Jerry Elsner's passion for the cause of helping our kids.
Jerry's the Man and Mary Flowers could kick his butt the best day he ever lived!
I'm tempted, but you have fun Pat. A spring choral concert may be more to my liking if you let us know. Now I'm off to mail some letters to get support for Rep. Fritchey's tuition tax credit bill. I think I'll hit the 31st D today, see if we can get something to bloom there. I doubt it.
I saw (can't remember it was 290, 294 or 355) but Jerry and the Crime Commission had great billboards that tough guys don't use drugs with some boxers.
I always liked Roberto Duran and Wilfredo Benitez.
If this was the same one at the hotel in DuPage last year, it was great, had a lot of people, and I think helped some disabled kids. Some good charity, some good people, and some good fights
Tank,
It WAS Great - Packed house and great kids!
Jerry and the gang hit one out of the Park!
Post a Comment