Title
Proclamation commending the efforts of Randy Castriota, Larry Chisholm, and Ruth Clanagan to deter kids from lives of crime through their work with The Gym of Future Champs.
Body
WHEREAS, Allegheny County is blessed to have ordinary citizens committed to making an extraordinary difference within our community; and
WHEREAS, The Gym of Future Champs held its grand opening on August 26, 2008; and
WHEREAS, originally conceived by Larry Chisholm, an ex-con who was looking to turn his life around, The Gym of Future Champs has been designed as a nonprofit anti-drug, anti-crime program for local youth; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chisholm and his business mentor, Randy Castriota, have spent the past year drumming up support for the gym, which has truly become a community effort, with $50,000 in state funding from the sponsorships of Senators John Pippy and Wayne Fontana, $5,000 from the Allegheny County District Attorney's Office, a building donated for $1 by Wilkinsburg officials, contracting work by Billy Ward and Quinn McCall, and donations of supplies from several businesses; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Chisholm and Mr. Castriota have also received invaluable support from Ruth Clanagan, who has utilized her vast nonprofit experience to volunteer as a consultant at the gym; and
WHEREAS, more than 200 children have already expressed interest in the gym, which will also train professional boxers; and
WHEREAS, in addition to world-class boxing instruction, The Gym of Future Champs will also offer a literacy room, mentoring, and nutritional and health counseling;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Allegheny County Council hereby congratulates Larry Chisholm, Randy Castriota, and Ruth Clanagan on the successful opening of The Gym of Future Champs. Furthermore, we admire and commend your commitment to improving the lives of children throughout Allegheny County.