It was an easy unanimous decision for the city council on Monday night when it approved a temporary fundraising business license for Revere Police Officer Joe Singer and his Revere Boxing Program.
The program is in its third year, and offers free afterschool and summer boxing programs for Revere youth.
“We already have online merchandise sales in place, but I want to be able to set up a popup tent in different locations throughout the city,” said Singer. “Not only can we engage more people to get them involved and see what we offer, but I’d like to do demonstrations and have kids be able to show them what they are learning. This way, we can expand on our program and get more people involved.”
Singer said that as the program expands and moves into its third year, all of the money it raises is through its merchandise sales, many with the distinctive Revere boxing patriot logo.
“You provide kids with an outlet that they didn’t have before in Revere,” said Councillor-at-Large Robert Haas, III.
Singer said he wouldn’t be able to run the program without all the volunteers and coaches who give their time.
“All that money that we are raising, nobody is receiving a paycheck,” said Singer. “They are doing all this after work; sometimes working 10 hour days and then coming and volunteering four or five hours a day for the kids.”
Ward 1 Councillor Joanne McKenna thanked Singer for his efforts in providing a positive outlet for kids, and said that years down the line, many of those young people would come back to thank him.
Council President Anthony Cogliandro said he was proud to see a facility like Revere Boxing in the city, and even more proud to see it run by Revere residents.
Cogliandro also challenged his fellow councillors to sponsor the next Rumble in Revere event sponsored by Revere Boxing.
“With our merchandise sales, we were able to have the Rumble in Revere this year,” said Singer. “We are hoping to make it an annual thing, and this year, we had almost 700 people. Right now, we have 11 kids that compete, and we have two who have won Golden Gloves and one won a King of the Ring tournament championship.
“I want to keep these kids going and keep them active.”
