Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack was in rare form Wednesday morning as he entered a boxing ring set up for the “Brawl at City Hall” fundraiser for the Pine Belt Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Mack had challenged Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny Dupree to meet him in a boxing challenge. However, Mack had to contend with a cutout of his Pine Belt protégé.
The end result was still a knockout as Mack’s challenge helped raise more than $2,400 as of press time for the Red Cross’ 2010 “Heroes” campaign.
“It was very successful,” said Peggy Owens-Mansfield, executive director of the Pine Belt Chapter of the American Red Cross. “We don’t have an exact figure yet because there’s still some additional money that was pledged that we don’t have in.”
Members of the Red Cross Youth and other volunteers lined the streets around City Hall Wednesday, collecting change from passing cars. Others held signs showing their support of the effort, which read “Help Mayor Mack beat Dupree... Donate! Heroes for Red Cross!”
A banner – emblazoned with Muhammad Ali’s famous saying, “Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee” – was also draped over the entrance to City Hall.
Mack delivered a quick one-two punch right out of the gate as more than $600 was raised within the first hour of the drive, which began at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
“We should make our goal long before noon,” Mack said. “It’s all for a really good cause. The American Red Cross and Peggy Owens-Mansfield have provided help throughout the city, county and state. Anything the city can do, we’re happy to help. We all need to pitch in.”
When asked for a comment, Owens-Mansfield added, “I think it’s wonderful that he elected to do this. We still have to hear from the rest of the businesses and schools in addition to what Mayor Mack is doing. But, it’s a good year to be adopted. For the Red Cross, it couldn’t come at a better time.”
For more information or to give online, visit www.redcross-heroes.com.
Local News
Related Photos
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Photos/David Owens
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