November 30, 2007
HELP JOE FRAZIER HELP THE KIDS OF PHILADELPHIA
By Kirk Lang
Former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier’s boxing gym on Philadelphia’s North Broad Street has been serving as a safe haven for troubled youth for nearly 40 years. However, it has fallen into disrepair with the passage of time. Earlier this month, the first annual New York City benefit for the Smokin’ Joe Frazier Foundation was held at the 140-seat Helen Mills Theater on West 26th Street in Manhattan and the goal of the November 3rd event was to raise funds to renovate the Smokin’ Joe Frazier Gym. Unfortunately, there were many empty seats in the house
Although attendance at the event - which included a video about the gym, an autograph signing and 12 songs performed by A Different Look - was limited to a few dozen people, the rest of the world that wasn’t there can still help Frazier make a difference in Philadelphia, a city nearly as famous for its murder rate as it is for its Philly cheese-steaks. Frazier’s gym is not exactly in the nicest part of Philly, which last year had the highest murder rate among the nation’s 10 largest cities. There were 406 murders in 2006.
Frazier’s gym - which gives youths direction and focus - needs a long overdue makeover. The Smokin’ Joe Frazier Foundation, a newly established national non-profit organization, is seeking donations of $100 or more for construction to provide enhancements for the building to accommodate community programs for urban youth and families.
For every $100 donation, an inscribed brick will be placed on the "Wall/Walkway of Fame" at the gym. The brick can be personalized with the donor’s name or personalized in honor of a loved one. Those who donate $500 or more will be a part of The Champion’s Club and will have their names acknowledged as a Champion Club member. Also, an inscribed brick will be placed in one of the 12 diamond-shaped cuts that will be on the front of the gym.
Dominic Carter, host of NY1's nightly political show, "Inside City Hall," had the honor of providing the opening remarks at the foundation fund-raiser. Carter grew up poor in the Bronx but became a well-respected political reporter who was the first American to interview Nelson Mandela during Mandela’s historic visit to the United States. Carter’s career also led him to the White House. President Bill Clinton, during his last year in office, personally invited Carter to attend a Christmas party.
Carter said people like Frazier showed him that anything was possible.
"I’ve gone from the projects of New York City to the White House," said Carter, adding that he proved wrong "those folks who say we can’t make it, or you shouldn’t give money to the urban agenda."
Marvis Frazier said the building the gym is in has space that can be used for other things related to youth development.
"I’m looking to have a computer learning center here. I’m looking to have counseling here. I’m looking to have after-school tutoring here, to help kids who can’t help themselves. The Urban Youth and Family Preservation Partnership is going to be a program that touches our kids with education. Here at Joe Frazier’s gym, we’ve always been able to show guys how to be strong and be good athletes, but then I think God wants us to have whole people. You know, it’s not only what the body can do. It’s also about the mind."
Smokin’ Joe added, "It aint all about knocking the guy out and learning the fundamental things about boxing."
Marvis said "what we’re really trying to do is touch kids with love and love is something a lot of kids do not know anything about."
"We’re trying to help the needy, not the greedy," said Joe.
For more information on the Smokin’ Joe Frazier Foundation, and to make a donation, log onto www.frazierfoundation.org.
