| The Mr. Mack Lewis Foundation was established in August, 2001 by friends from all walks of life in effort to support and perpetuate the missionary work Lewis has provided to his crime and drug ravaged community. The first goal was to provide better facilities. Working with local builders, engineers, painters, electricians and lumberman under the direction of the Struever Brothers, Eccles and Rouse, the Foundation accomplish their first goal by the summer of 2002. The current Foundation Officers are: Vince Johns, President - Vincent Pettway, Vice President - Wyndal Gordon, Secretary - Elmer J. Johnson, Treasurer |
OUR MISSION: The Mr. Mack Lewis Foundation, Inc., was established to provide a healthy and positive out-reach program for youth and young adults where they are given the opportunity to receive the instruction and wisdom of Mr. Mack and his assistants in boxing skills and after-school tutoring. Our ultimate goal is to assist them in becoming socially responsible and productive individuals.
MR. MACK'S NEW HOME: The first priority was to upgrade Mr. Mack's Gym. When costs to repair his old gym proved prohibitive, a task force of builders, businessmen, civic leaders, lawyers, journalists and former fighters was formed to find and build a new facility In the East Baltimore neighborhood. A search committee found a favorable location in the Church Square Shopping Center, 913 N. Bond Street, and construction began in March, 2002. The entire cost of building the new facility – an estimated $400,000 – was assumed by local builders, engineers, painters, electricians and lumberman under the direction of the Struever Brothers, Eccles and Rouse. The New Mack Lewis Gym officially opened on July 10th, 2002.
GOAL: The ultra-modern gym now serves as both a recreational and educational center for youth and young adults in the community. An after-school program has been implemented to aid needy students. Four public schools-Dunbar High, Dunbar Middle School, Thomas Hayes Elementary and Elmer Henderson 101 - are within easy walking distance of the gym. Led by Mayor O'Malley, city and state political leaders and church ministers have joined in lending strong support to this community project. Said State Sen. Nathaniel McFadden: ""I've always supported Mack Lewis' work with youngsters. It is great that he finally has a new gym to mentor kids."
SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY LEADERS:
The missionary work of Lewis has not gone
unnoticed. He has received citations from President Richard Nixon, former
Baltimore mayors William Donald Schaefer and Clarence (Du) Burns and current
Mayor Martin O'Malley for his tireless efforts on behalf of inner city youth.
Said Mayor O'Malley: " I am encouraged by Mr. Mack Lewis' more than 50 years of
providing opportunities to the Baltimore youth. I support and applaud the
Foundation's efforts to sustain his work." Said State Sen. Nathaniel
McFadden: ""I've always supported Mack Lewis' work with youngsters. It is great
that he finally has a new gym to mentor kids."
SUPPORT FROM CORPORATE AND PRIVATE SECTOR: Many corporations and individuals throughout Baltimore and beyond have made generous donations of of money and support. View the list of Foundation donors.
WE NEED YOUR HELP: The Mr. Mack Lewis Foundation is in need of corporate and individual donors so that together, we can continue his work and keep making Baltimore a better place for all of us. How you can help this vital cause.