Blue Collar Boxing Impact – United Way of the Midlands

NOVEMBER 23, 2022
LIBERTY FIRST CREDIT UNION ARENA

Blue Collar Boxing is an exciting and competitive boxing event featuring local labor union members that duke it out in the ring to raise money for our community. Thanks to countless supporters, this year’s event was an absolute knockout!

13 UNIONS REPRESENTED

2,000 +

ATTENDEES

$278,000 +

RAISED FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Those in attendance had a great time watching 15 exciting bouts, and by the end of the night, more than $278,000 had been raised to support the work of United Way of the Midlands and the Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education in our community.

FIGHTING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

There were plenty of local labor union members that were up for the challenge of participating in this year’s Blue Collar Boxing event! Individuals from 13 different labor unions signed up to train and be part of the big night.

FOP Lodge 88
IBEW 763
IBEW Local 22
IBEW Local 763
Ironworkers L21
IUEC Local 28
Labor Local 1140

Local 571
Omaha Professional
Firefighters Local 385
Sheetmetal Local 3
Stagehand Local 42
Steamfitters Local 464
Teamsters 554

STRONGER TOGETHER

United Way and the AFL-CIO have been partners since 1941. This relationship is built upon a shared desire to better our local community. Since 2019, United Way of the Midlands and the AFL-CIO have joined forces to host this annual amateur boxing event.

THE WINNER IS OUR COMMUNITY

The proceeds of Blue Collar Boxing benefit the Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education and United Way of the Midlands by helping individuals attain marketable job skills, assisting with job placement, and providing essentials such as food, housing and health services.
While Nebraska is still in the process of recovery and rebuilding, the state is also facing a workforce crisis. By creating opportunities for Omaha’s young people to gain exposure to and pursue careers in the trades, the Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education is increasing the qualified workforce in Nebraska.

Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education:
The Nebraska Center for Workforce Development and Education (NCWDE) is a nonprofit focused on increasing the qualified workforce in Nebraska, specifically within the trades and growing the trades’ workforce to support the infrastructure of the State of Nebraska.

BLUE COLLAR BOXING HELPS PEOPLE LIKE...

LUIS

His family found support through a United Way-funded program after he and his twin sister experienced neglect and other traumas. Through this program, he learned mechanisms to cope with some anger issues he was experiencing. Now, he’s a vibrant toddler who understands how to control his emotions and even helps his classmates calm down when they are upset.

CASS

Imagine being pregnant and not having a place to call home. Cass was referred to a United Way-funded program that promotes healthy family behaviors when she was residing in a local shelter. Since starting classes through the program, Cass has finished drug court and obtained her driver’s license. Now, two years later, both she and her son’s father are able to provide for their family.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

An event of this size doesn’t happen without the support of numerous businesses and individuals. So many people stepped up and said they were willing to stand in our corner, and we are so grateful for their support!