On Friday, Dec. 12, United Way of the Midlands (UWM) (unitedwaymidlands.org) and the Omaha Federation of Labor AFL-CIO hosted their annual Blue Collar Boxing event at Baxter Arena. Presented by the Nebraska and Southwest Iowa Building and Construction Trades Council – this year’s event was a knockout and set a Blue Collar Boxing attendance record.
During Blue Collar Boxing, 24 local labor union members faced off in the boxing ring for charity – with 100 percent of proceeds benefitting United Way of the Midlands and the Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education to help individuals attain marketable job skills, assist with job placement and provide essentials such as food, housing, utility support, health services and more.
The competing boxers hailed from 10 local labor unions: BCTGM 50, FOP, IAFF 3767, IBEW 22, IBEW 763, Ironworkers 21, Neb. Public Employees Local 251, Sprinkler Fitters 669, Steamfitters 464 and Teamsters 554.
This year’s event also spotlighted those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military – with the first fight of the night featuring two current union members who have also served our country.
Partners since 1941, the relationship between the Omaha AFL-CIO and United Way is built upon a mutual desire to create a stronger and more resilient community. Because of this shared commitment to the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro, the organizations created this amateur boxing event in 2019.
Next year’s Blue Collar Boxing event is planned for Friday, Dec. 11. For more information on UWM, please visit unitedwaymidlands.org.