Posted tagged ‘charity’

Press Release – Houston MMA Community Giving Back

May 18, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Houston MMA Community Giving Back

Houston, TX – May 18, 2010 –TheCageDoor.net, in conjunction with DNC Worldwide Network, will be teaming up with Houston area Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters for a local community outreach project here in Houston on May 29, 2010. 

Eight fighters (pro and amateur) have volunteered their time to team up and work together for the purpose of providing meals to the underprivileged in several areas of Houston. Many of these fighters have either already fought each other, or will be fighting each other in upcoming events.

“Often times in MMA, especially in the local scene, competitive fighters and fans can get caught up in gym rivalries and cage battles. The fighters who are helping us out with this initiative are showing the rest of the city that it’s ok to battle in the cage then work together outside of it,” said Richard Burmaster, co-owner of TheCageDoor.net.

The fighters will be meeting at the Mezzanine Lounge at 10:30am to begin making lunches. Once the meals are made and packed, they will then split up into teams and canvass Houston to distribute the food to the homeless population.

Barry Laminack, Co-Owner of TheCageDoor.net said, “When Rich (Burmaster) and I started the site, we said that we wanted to be a positive force in the Houston MMA scene. We feel now is the time to follow through with that, so we’ve partnered up with Mike Calimbas of DNC Worldwide and put this effort together. Oftentimes, the negative perception of Mixed Martial Arts and the fighters involved are that of thuggish and violent individuals, when in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Many of the fighters that have volunteered for this effort are some of the nicest and kindest people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.”

This pilot program will lay the ground work in the near future for a much broader and farther-reaching community involvement effort from the Houston MMA scene. TheCageDoor.net is already in the planning stages to combine efforts and work with the community (both local and MMA) in coordinating and promoting volunteer efforts for the real non-profit charities that do this type of good day-in and day-out. Fighters, fans, gym owners and everyone interested in giving back will have a chance to work with designated local charities.

“It is our hope that this combined effort between fighters who compete against one another, and train at different gyms, will set an example. What we want this to be is a catalyst for the entirety of the MMA community to get involved in their local communities. Fighters, fans, and everyone involved can make a difference. It’s about increasing awareness. Good people can really do great things if they put their minds to it.” said Mike Calimbas of DNC Worldwide.

The media is welcome and encouraged to come out and cover what is sure to be the first of many positive efforts from TheCageDoor.net and the MMA community as a whole. Please join us on May 29, 2010 from 10:30am until 2:30pm at the Mezzanine Lounge (www.mezzaninelounge.com), located at 2200 Southwest Freeway, Suite 150. The fighters as well as the event coordinators will be available for photos and to answer questions before, during and after the event.

About TheCageDoor.net

TheCageDoor.net is a Houston based website dedicated to covering the Houston MMA scene. The site was started in October of 2009 by Richard Burmaster and Barry Laminack and has experienced tremendous growth since its inception. The site, located on the web at http://www.thecagedoor.net, provides a mix of Houston MMA news, local fighter interviews, pre and post event coverage, live event updates, fighter blogs, a Houston focused MMA forum and a comprehensive Houston area gym and fighter database.

About DNC Worldwide

DNC Worldwide is a networking group for individuals dedicated to building a brighter future. We are made up of motivated, energetic professionals who aspire to be future leaders within our respective professions AND communities. We accomplish this by encouraging members to get involved and make a difference by becoming active participants in the professional, civic, and social aspects of their networks. Please visit www.dncworlwide.com for more information.

Contact: Barry Laminack
e-mail: barry@thecagedoor.net
phone: 832.545.4419
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Volunteering with Noah’s Kitchen – Video Diary

May 16, 2010

Hello Houston!

Gustavo and I went out to volunteer for Noah’s Kitchen again today. Last time I helped out with this awesome charity, I was honored to write the guest blog for their website. This time, I wanted to take awareness for this great charity one step further so I recorded a video of today’s volunteer experience. I made this for those of you out there that may be curious about philanthropy and helping out with your local communities. It only takes a little effort to get out and make a difference!

Support your local community and grow together! – Mike Calimbas