The Lee Espinoza Coachella Valley Boxing Club and Fitness Center was awarded a $25,000 grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. The Center will use the Coachella Valley Spotlight grant funds to buy cardiovascular equipment for its facility, which offers free programs to underprivileged and at-risk youth of the valley.
“We are very grateful to the Berger Foundation and News Channel 3. This support allows us to offer not only a premier boxing club, but also a free fitness facility for the many community members who cannot afford gym memberships,” said Lee Espinoza, Founder and Director of the Center. “Our programs also build self-discipline and self-esteem in the many youth we take under our wings.”
Outside of the pandemic year, the Coachella Valley Boxing Club’s programs typically help between 100-200 valley children, ages 7-18, annually. Many of the members who participate in training and amateur boxing competitions come from low income families that are challenged to pay other youth sports fees.
“Lee Espinoza and his team have built a place that welcomes all kids. They provide mentoring and the opportunity to learn important values like hard work and healthy lifestyles,” said Catharine Reed, Vice President of Charitable Programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation.
The Lee Espinoza Coachella Valley Boxing Club and Fitness Center is a 9,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility located in Coachella that offers all programs at no cost. The facility includes two boxing rings, boxing bags, treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes, plus offers universal and free weights. Gloves and headgear are also available for training. The Center was recently named after its founder, Lee Espinoza, who will be inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame later this year.
“Lee Espinoza has dedicated his life to the youth of the Coachella Valley for more than 40 years, and we’re happy to be a part of recognizing Lee and his Center,” said Jerry Upham, General Manager of Gulf California Broadcast Company, which owns and operates KESQ News Channel 3 and KPSP CBS Local 2.
Through the Coachella Valley Spotlight partnership with the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and News Channel 3, the Lee Espinoza Coachella Valley Boxing Club and Fitness Center was featured on News Channel 3 programming, in public service announcements and on kesq.com throughout March. For more information about the organization, which is located at 51301 Douma Street, Coachella, visit coachellavalleyboxingclub.org or call 760-863-0950.