The 2024 Come Up Roast Scores Big!
The Come Up Foundation’s annual 2024 roast in August raised more than $100,000 with 200 in attendance at the Will Rogers Theater on Western Ave. Roasted and toasted were the “infamous” Morning Animals from WWLS, The Sports Animal.
“The support from the community for these kids in underserved neighborhoods is remarkable,” said Emmanuel Rivera, executive director, who also noted the program is now approved to operate inside Oklahoma City Public Schools.
The OKC Fraternal Order of Police and OKC Firefighters Local 157 were the Bob Barry Jr. Memorial Sponsors, donating $20,000.
The Chickasaw Nation, along with The Clark Fork Group and Hillary, a communications company, each donated $10,000 to be executive sponsors. Noted sponsors also included Cynal, Elliot Roofing, South 80 Homes and South Creek Group, Smoothie King, Regier Cox Accountants and Oklahoma Electric Cooperatives.
Mercy Physician Partners with The Come Up
Dr. Brendon McCollom, a Mercy physician, is partnering with The Come Up Foundation to provide health and wellness checks to the youth. He will also help develop a plan for nutrition instruction to be added to the organization’s curriculum.
“It’s been a pleasure to witness first-hand the incredible opportunity The Come Up Foundation provides to the underserved youth in Oklahoma City’s urban core,” said McCollom. “We will get this done!”
Executive Director Emmanuel Rivera said, “Martial arts is a lifestyle that can play a role in reducing obesity and other unhealthy behaviors, and we’re so appreciative of Dr. McCollom’s ongoing contributions to helping The Come Up Kids.”
Click here to read the full letter of support from Dr. McCollom.
Tobacco Stops with The Come Up Kids
Board adopts new policies
The seven board members of The Come Up Foundation adopted new policies to be implemented immediately. Adding to the curriculum against illegal drugs and bullying, a new policy opposing tobacco fit nicely with The Come Up mission to live healthy.
“We don’t want kids doing anything harmful to their brains or bodies. The Come Up is all about healthy living to propel our kids into leadership and success,” said Executive Director Emmanuel Rivera.
Thanks to Police and Fire
FOP Sponsors The Come Up Kids
The Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police donated $5,000 to the The Come Up Foundation. The check was presented to Emmanuel “El Punisher” Rivera by FOP president Mark Nelson.
Rivera said the police make “tremendous role models” in underserved neighborhoods.
“We want kids to trust and respect the police and see all the great things they do,” Rivera said.
OKC Firefighters Local 157 Buys Gloves For The Come Up Kids
The Oklahoma City Firefighters Local 157 donated $2,500 to purchase gloves for The Come Up Kids.
“One of our biggest challenges is keeping gloves and shin guards,” program director and founder Carl Belford said.
Meet New Partners Donating
The new partners for The Come Up Foundation have donated $160,000 in services and facilities! Thank you to:
● Dr. Brendon McCollom, of Mercy (in Edmond)
● The Athletic Recovery Center
● InHouse Web Services
● OKC Combat Sports
● Team Thrive
● Explosive Athletics
● Terri Grissom
● Elizabeth Suddath
● American Elite Mixed Martial Arts
● Mercury Press (Ron Franklin)
● Transcend Sports Performance, Inc.
● GDL Legal (Geoff Long)
Click here to read all the letters of support.
WWLS THE Sports Animal 98.1 FM and The Come Up Partner in Giveaway!
Enter to win the grand prize in this giveaway sponsored by The Come Up Foundation:
● Pair of tickets to an OKC Thunder game
● $100 to Guyutes
● $100 to a Hal Smith restaurant
No purchase or donation is required! Click here to enter!
Channel 4 KFOR pays it FORward to El Punisher
For his work with The Come Up Kids, KFOR’s anchor Kevin Ogle, Channel 4 surprised Emmanuel “El Punisher” Rivera at OKC City Center on Wednesday.
Rivera was nominated by Lacey Larkin, whose late husband used to be Rivera’s training partner when he fought professionally. Rivera was presented a check by First Fidelity Bank, and The Come Up was featured on the Pay It FORward segment.
Rivera formerly trained the late and legendary sportscaster Bob Berry, Jr. of Channel 4 and The Sports Animal. Rivera was a behind-the-scenes technician for Berry and other Sports Animal personalities.
The Come Up Expands Board of Directors
A new board was formed August 7 expanding its membership to seven.
“These outstanding community citizens bring a broad range of experience, from media to martial arts, business, non-profit experts and politics,” said Carl Belford, a founder of The Come Up and now a senior coach and program director.
“We expanded the board because The Come Up is not about a person, it’s about a community mentoring kids.”
The new members are: Rebecca Guerra, Cord West, Fount Holland, Matt Parker, Tami Bramel, Robert Mueller and Chairman Geoff Long.
Mayor Holt featured at first Come Up fundraiser
OKC Mayor David Holt welcomed 180 guests to The Come Up Foundation’s first fundraiser held July 31st at the Will Rogers Theatre on Western Avenue.
Special guests included state leaders such as Speaker Charles McCall, state Senator Michael Brooks, former Reps. Joe Dorman from the Institute for Child Advocacy and numerous current and past Oklahoma legislators. The event was a 60th birthday party roast of Come Up board member Fount Holland.
Executive Director Emmanuel Rivera led off the night roasting Holland, whom he previously trained in his weight loss journey.
Other roasters included Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett, Representative Bob Ed Culver, Chickasaw Nation legislator Lisa Billy and former Rep. Trebor Worthen, now Chief of Staff to Attorney General Gentner Drummond. Board member Matt Parker was master of ceremonies.
WWLS The Sports Animal Airs One Hour MMA Shows With “El Punisher”
Already featured as the MMA analyst on the Matt Meyers show on Saturdays, Rivera now has a one-hour show on WWLS-FM at 6 p.m. twice a month on Saturdays.
The Sports Animal also promotes The Come Up in a series of PSAs.
Rivera has a long history with The Sports Animal. He started working there 13 years ago as a behind-the-scenes technician for the late Bob Berry, Jr. and others. Berry first featured Rivera on-air to talk about mixed martial arts.
KWTV Channel 9 Features The Come Up with Homeless Students
Channel 9 News featured The Come Up Foundation and staff teaching martial arts weekly in a school for homeless kids, Positive Tomorrows.
Positive Tomorrows CEO and President Margaret Creighton said structured classes where kids learn new skills are important, and martial arts in particular preaches values of self-control and confidence while learning self-defense.
“We’re making sure they get these normal childhood experiences,” Creighton said.
The Come Up Executive Director Emmanuel Rivera said life brings tough challenges, and when you “train something like this, you realize you can do tough things and get through them.”
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