I have been involved with the Mercy Home since it's first "Ringside" event in 1991. I competed for the first 7 years after which I volunteered to organize the Boxing aspect of the event. Since 1998 I have recruited and trained most of the participants, and have done all of the matchmaking as well. Thanks to the generosity of my clientele, I have also managed to sell tables to the event as well as raffle tickets. My gym, West Loop Conditioning Club, is usually responsible for 15-20% of raffle ticket sales.

At $100 per, that has added up to an average of about $20,000 a year over the past 6 years. I do know though, that $100 is a lot of money to a lot of people. So I have come up with a promotion I will call 54 (times 2) on 54. That means I will try to do 2 sets of 54 push-ups (using the "perfect push-up" as seen on TV!) on my 54th birthday, August 1st. There will be a 2-minute rest in-between.

So I am asking you to pledge $50 upon which your name will be put on a ticket, along with another's, and if your name is drawn you and the other person on that ticket will split the cash prize. 1st Prize is $10,000, 2nd $5000 and 3rd $2500. Now if you want to go halves with a spouse, sibling, friend, ect, you just have to specify that on the link provided. I don't want any money now (or ever if I can't do it), just your pledge. That can be done in person, via e-mail, or Facebook.

Around the 1st week of July I will post a video update on Facebook. As of June 6 I had done 2 sets of 30. This is no slam dunk! I guess this being my first stab at this I will set a goal of 54, or $2700 to the Home. I will keep everyone updated on everything through this site, Facebook, as well as through e-mails. Hopefully I will get it done and hopefully one of your names will be drawn.