by Jacquie Richardson,
Executive Director,
Retired Boxers Foundation, Inc.

As we approach the end of the year, we also approach the last opportunity to make a charitable donation that the IRS would recognize as a legitimate tax deduction as well. As the Executive Director of the Retired Boxers Foundation, which was founded by Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos in 1998, I often wonder if people realize that the Retired Boxers Foundation is an official IRS charitable organization (501(c)3 nonprofit organization) and that their donation to the RBF is 100% tax deductible. The mission of the Retired Boxers Foundation is to assist retired professional boxers in the transition from their glorious days in the ring, to a dignified retirement.

For those of you who love the sport of boxing and would like to make a donation, we are asking you to consider the Retired Boxers Foundation as your charity of choice. If you do not make a charitable donation, consider this: Would you rather help a worthwhile charity like the Retired Boxers Foundation or would you rather give your money to the IRS? Simple as that. Give what you can, and it will make a difference.

The Retired Boxers Foundation exists on less than $15,000 a year. Every year, we assist over 100 retired professional boxers with basic needs, including medical care, dental care, assisting them in applying for Supplemental Security Income, Medicare, VA benefits and finding a way to stabilize their lives. We pay electric bills that fall behind, apply for heating assistance for the fighters and their families, buy groceries and clothing and listen to their troubles with an eye for assisting them in the most reasonable way.

Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos, the Founder and President of the Retired Boxers Foundation, is himself disabled and lives on a small SSI check each month. He is so committed to his brothers in boxing that I have seen him donate money he received as a birthday present, to the Retired Boxers Foundation. His passion and dedication to the Retired Boxers Foundation is something that inspires me to continue to assist him in his mission. No one receives a paycheck at the RBF. We rely on volunteers around the world who act as our "representatives" to assist us in accomplishing what needs to be done. All of the money we receive is used to assist retired boxers, from the club fighters to the once legendary professional boxers of the past.

If you love the sport of boxing and want to make a difference by making a donation to the Retired Boxers Foundation, you can go to our website at www.retiredboxers.org and make your donation through our PayPal account, or, you can mail it to the Retired Boxers Foundation, Inc., 3359 Bryan Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93063.

God Bless you and on behalf of the Retired Boxers Foundation and all of the retired professional boxers, Happy New Year.