The Bay to Bay Youth Boxing Foundation is helping kids across South Florida kick start the school year with free supplies and sport sessions.
Last weekend, the organization hosted its inaugural community event, Back to School Bash, at the Mitchell Moore Park in Pompano Beach. More than 1,000 backpacks were given to kids from kindergarten to twelfth grade.
Owner and founder Jeffrey Poritz knows the struggles of prepping for the new school year and living in a single-parent household. He wants his boxing organization to stand as a role model to those who seek help.
“I was one of these kids at one time and now I have so much,” said Poritz. “I was destined for nothing and know I have everything. I’ve got my own foundation, I’ve got boxing gyms and it’s because of things like this, and that’s what I want to give back.”
Honing their basketball and swimming skills were just some of the event highlights, but the special moment was meeting and talking to professional boxers like Lorenzo Medina.
Medina joined Bay to Bay when he was 15 years old. He has become a national amateur boxing champion after a year of training and is ranked among the top 20 super heavyweight boxers in the nation.
Also coming from a hard past, Medina spoke to kids about his love for boxing and how it saved his life.
“I said no matter what you choose to do in life, put 100% focus into that,” said Medina. “It’s all you have.”
Parents were proud to see an organization giving back to the community and making an impact on the next generation.
“This event has been very awesome, amazing for the community,” said Britney Brown, mother of three. “I’m glad they came out.”
Click here to learn more about Bay to Bay and their upcoming events.
Reporter Esteban Rodriguez filmed this report
