Nevada Walmart donates $1,000 to Ground Up Boxing
Boxing instructor Rick Culler was presented a $1,000 check on behalf of (Nevada) Walmart Supercenter for the continued improvement and development of Ground Up Boxing Gym.
Culler, owner and operator of the not-for-profit gym located at the Old Jefferson School, was handed the check by Walmart store manager Dustin Osborne Wednesday afternoon at the gym.
After the check presentation, Osborne addressed Culler's students, as he discussed the importance of Ground Up Boxing as it pertains to the community. Osborne said during his youth, that learning martial arts helped him gain structure and discipline in his life, and provided a positive outlet that helped him grow as a person.
The gym, currently in the process of major renovations, will soon feature an outdoor boxing ring where Culler plans to hold events. Culler's boxing students train free of charge on Monday and Wednesday's from 3:30-5:30 p.m. In addition, Ground Up Boxing students travel to Kansas City or Springfield on Thursday's for sparring competition.
"The kids in this program are between the ages of 13 to 18," Culler said. "This gym keeps them off the street. We keep them so busy and active that they're too tired to go home and cause trouble. By staying in here and training, they're not on the street doing drugs."
Culler said he was thrilled with Walmart's contribution to his gym, and would like to see more businesses in the community follow suit.
"We want local businesses and members of the community to see how much we're giving back to these kids, and help us help them," he said. "The gym is growing, but we still need help from the community."
Culler said it's a misconception that many people view boxing as a violent sport.
"A lot of people look at it and think boxing is going to cause problems and make their kids more aggressive," he said. "But that's not how it is. The kids come in and they become more humble and respectful."
Ground Up Boxing Gym assistant instructor Melissa Payne agrees with Culler that the gym has a positive effect on its boxing students. Payne, a sixth and seventh-grade teacher at Nevada Middle School said many of her students have trained at the gym.
"I see these kids at school and know that they need some place to release their energy," Payne said. "And to have someone else in the community that they know cares about them ---- it makes a difference.
"I see kids who need some other kind of direction in their life."
Culler said he stresses discipline to his students.
"In order to be in the program you have to maintain a C+ average," he said. "And you can't miss more than three days of school over three months."
"I think it helps because Rick is a male role model for some of these kids," Payne said. "It's not until they get closer to high school that they have many male role models in their life. They long for that father-figure in their life. That's what I see when I'm at work."