Graboyes is pleased to serve as a sponsor for Local 5 International Union of Elevator Constructors’ (IUEC) Fight Night, which will take place starting at 2 p.m. on September 30th at Katie O’Donnell’s in Philadelphia. The annual event, sanctioned by Jack Costello Boxing Club, benefits A LIFT FOR A VET, an organization that buys and installs elevators, home lifts, stair lifts, and wheelchair lifts in the homes of disabled U.S. military service veterans from any era — WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq.
Union glazier and Graboyes installer Angelo Torres provides coaching
Angelo Torres, a 12-year union glazier for Local 252, union delegate, and long-term field installer for Graboyes Commercial Window Company, has competed in previous A LIFT FOR A VET events. “Every little bit helps and makes a difference,” says Torres. This year Torres is coaching several other boxers – Dana Gaeta, Jerome Kinard, and John D’Ambrosia.
More about Jack Costello Boxing Club
Jack Costello Boxing Club, the non-profit organization that is sanctioning this event, provides physical training, mental development, and emotional support to urban youth for a modest membership fee.
“The main thing is to get the kids off the street,” said Tim Costello, who runs the gym with his brother Pat and sister Carolyn. “We want to see them win fights and win championships, but the main thing is we want them to be good citizens. We have all different kinds [of individuals] here and we want them to be friends,” he said. Participants range from recreational non-competitive types to potential champions. The gym opens from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. “As long as they can get here, they can work out,” Costello said.
