Participants Ready to Knock Out Homelessness

JANUARY 6, 2013- Homelessness...  It's a nation wide epidemic, and right here in Erie we have more than one thousand homeless adults and teens...

    One local organization is hoping to combat the issue...

    Jabbing....

    Upper cutting...

    And throwing left and right hooks......

It may look like a scene from Rocky... These guys aren't preparing for a title match, but rather the 6th annual Erie City Mission's Knockout Homelessness boxing event...

"We're just loosening up a little bit..  Getting in shape... hitting heavy bag... speed bag.. just preparing for next month," says Lou Bizzarro, Erie Boxing Legend.

    Lou Bizzarro and John Barber, the President and CEO of the Barber National Institute will be squaring off at the big event...

    They are just two of 6 men who will be lacing up the boxing gloves for charity on February 19th....

"Very pleased to do whatever I can for the City Mission... It provides a ray of hope to those who may not have hope," says John Barber President and CEO of the Barber National Institute.

    Organizers and participants are hoping to 1-2 punch the homeless epidemic... And with nearly 31% struggling beneath the burden of poverty, officials say it's necessary to give back.

"It's an opportunity for community to come together and provide shelter for homeless and food for the hungry," says Pastor Rick Crocker Executive Director of Erie City Mission.

    Competitors showed off the progress they've made..... And Babrer says he is ready to rumble against Louie Bizzarro... Well, kind of....

" Pastor is gonna be here to make sure anything bad happens to me... I'm gonna get my last rights," says Barber.

Competitors have been training for months... But they tell us it's more about raising funds than winning the matches for bragging rights.

"You know what, want to give back.... to community and community give back something to them," says Bizzarro.

"Anything we can do to help each other is something we should take advantage of," says Barber.

    Officials say the growth of this charity event has been impressive...

    And the hard work from the boxers, volunteers and community has made it such a success over the years...

"Those of us who have been blessed should be sharing and band together," says Pastor Rick.

    Organizers are hoping to raise $50 thousand dollars for the Erie City Mission this year...

    You can get more information about the event as well as tickets at 814-452-4421...

Doors open at 5, and the event runs from 6-9:30 PM on February 19^{th   at the Bayfront Convention Center.}