Mikey Garcia gives back to his community; wants bout with WBO champion Terry Flanagan

(RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA) Undefeated, former two-division WBO champion Mikey Garcia (35-0, 29 KOs) teamed up with Riverside Police Officers on Tuesday, August 10, to hand out one hundred backpacks and various school supplies to kids in the Casa Blanca neighborhood. The event was part of the annual Riverside Police Department Backpack Giveaway program, held at the Ysmael Villegas Community Center in Villegas Park.

Fighters rarely generate press for the positive things that they do for kids and the community, but Garcia (who trains at the nearby Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Riverside), relishes the chance to be a positive role model for the sport. “This was a wonderful opportunity to come out and support these kids,” said the very decent and well spoken Garcia. “As a parent, it feels good knowing that all of these children will be prepared with the adequate supplies for their first week of school. I’m a big advocate for education, so I gave some advice for the kids to take with them into this new school year. It was an honor to be a part of this program, and to partner with the Riverside Police Department.”

Having the right supplies and support encourages kids to succeed in the classroom of life. “It was great to have Mikey Garcia out here with us giving back to the community,” said Sgt. Barney of the Community Services Bureau. “The backpack giveaway is a joint sponsored activity by the Riverside Police Foundation and the Riverside Police Officers Association, and was designed to inspire children and let them know that their community supports their academic efforts. Both foundations were able to raise over $5,000 in school supplies for kids in the City of Riverside.”