Kids box, raise funds for Miracle Network

Boxing fans and supporters of the Children's Miracle Network came together Saturday night at the first Kids Fighting for Miracles event.

The event was a fundraiser held by Walmart to support the Children's Miracle Network of Northern New York, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for sick children at Samaritan Medical Center.

"I've never even been to a boxing event, so I had no idea what to expect, but we're really glad we could do something where people would come out to help us support the Miracle Network," Walmart representative Deanna J. Burgenstock said.

The idea for a boxing fundraiser came from Watertown Boxing Club assistant coach Jamie Marquette, who also works at Walmart, Boxing Club president John D. Pepe said.

Walmart and the Watertown Boxing Club set up a boxing ring for the fights in the Watertown High School gym. Parents, coaches and members of their boxing club feverishly cheered the fighters on.

There were 14 different fights in the night's lineup. The night's events started with the 93-pound weight class, and worked up to the larger weight classes at the end. Young fighters from boxing clubs in Watertown, Syracuse, Rochester and Gatineau, Ontario, competed against one another.

"We're really grateful that so many people came from far away to help us support the kids," Mr. Pepe said.

There wasn't a final count of the money raised Saturday night, but Ms. Burgenstock said she hoped the event brought in "at least a couple thousand dollars."

Admission to the event was $10, and food and raffle tickets also were for sale.

Mr. Pepe said he wanted some of the kids to be there so they could be brought up during the intermission, but the kids who were supposed to come weren't able to because they had the flu.

All of the funds raised at the boxing event will go back to the Children's Miracle Network to help sick children in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, said Jocelyn D. Mejias, director of the Children's Miracle Network of Northern New York.

"We're learning from this event, and we're hoping in the future we can do the same thing," Ms. Burgenstock said, "because efforts like this really do make miracles happen."