Young boxers compete at the Caldwell Optimist Club Silver Belt Invitational

Caldwell Optimist Club member Manny Albares will be honored on Saturday, February 18 by the City of Caldwell when the community recognizes the day as Manny Albares Day. Manny has been serving the youth of the community for 30 years as the founder and lead coach of the PAL youth boxing program.

Coach Manny Albares

Saturday is also the day of the Silver Belt Invitational - the boxing event that brings youth boxers from as far away as Oklahoma to compete against traveling teams from Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming and the home club of Caldwell, Idaho.

According to Manny, the children who box in the program learn to be good students and family members as they learn the discipline of boxing. As a PAL program, they gain respect for law enforcement and the officers that protect their community. As a Caldwell Optimist Club program, they also learn that others appreciate them for the remarkable young people that they are.

You don't want to miss the Silver Belt Invitational at the O'Connor Field House in Caldwell. There will be a matinee event at 1:00 p.m. for the younger boxers and the marquee event starts at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the door.

Proceeds support the PAL Boxing program and other youth projects of the Caldwell Optimist Club.

Photo credit: Charlie Litchfield of the Idaho Press Tribune. Read the full article "Longtime Coach Manny Albares honored for contribution to youth" at the Idaho Press Tribune.