Thomas supports charity boxing match for military families

August 27, 2008 OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas worked the corner at the "Salute To Our Soldiers" in Petawawa, Aug. 16, sponsored by the Canadian Emergency Services Boxing Association (CESBA) for military members and the community.

The Mississauga-based CESBA, made up of police personnel, firefighters and emergency service workers, took to the Olympic-style amateur boxing ring at the Petawawa Civic Centre in support of the Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre (PMFRC).

CESBA participants are from across the province, including the Peel Regional Police and OPSEU members from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Thomas provided corner support for Terrence Thomas, an amateur boxer who hails from Local 521 at Mimico Detention Centre.

The PMFRC provides programs and services to assist military families in deployment, community integration, parental support, community involvement and personal development. The fundraiser is important because it comes just weeks before the deployment of approximately 2,000 military personnel from Petawawa to Afghanistan.

The boxing card was 13 bouts, featuring both male and female participants. Thomas also won the 50/50 draw, which he donated to the charity.